I was going to write another political themed column this week, but then I thought again. Maybe I should think about thanksgiving and all I have to be thankful for instead.
I decided to take a moment to truly be thankful that the election is over. I mentioned last week that I was glad that the bitter campaign battles were over. I really am.
I am especially glad that despite all of the animosity surrounding our local and national politics, our elections go relatively smoothly. Even with the emotions around election forums and interviews and recounts, we are generally civil to one another. Incidents like the crazed Rand Paul supporter knocking a woman down and stepping on her are simply not
accepted in America.
I’m thankful for that.
Of course Veterans Day brings thoughts of gratitude. This issue is filled with photos of flags and words honoring our nation’s military folks— active duty and retired, men and women, all branches of the service, all over the world. We are so fortunate that so many of our citizens are willing to volunteer to stand and serve, to fight for freedom and for our democratic process, however flawed it may be.
I’m thankful for that.
We are also blessed in this country to have so many generous people reaching out to others with events like Empty Bowls. In a time when everyone is feeling the pinch and worried about the future, it is amazing to see so many people give so freely and cheerfully. That happens time and time again in our small community and on a broader, national level. Americans really do care about others.
I’m thankful for that.
On a personal level, I have blessings beyond number. I have a nice house in the forest on the outskirts of Grand Marais. I have decent transportation and a route to work that takes me past one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world—and one of the most beautiful.
I have a husband who is also my best friend and I have hardworking and funny sons and daughters-inlaw and five adorable grandchildren. I live near my still reasonably healthy and always cheerful and supportive parents. And I have a large extended family of aunts and uncles, brothers, a sister, and lots and lots of cousins and nieces and nephews.
I’m thankful for all of them.
I’m also blessed with an amazing assortment of friends. Friends I’ve known since kindergarten. Friends who seem like family. Friends for walking with, friends for laughing with. Friends who can be counted on, no matter what.
I’m thankful for all of them.
I’m also one of the very lucky folks in the world that has found their calling, albeit accidentally. I knew I wanted to be a writer since I first held a pencil but didn’t know how to go about it. I’m thankful to Steve Fernlund, former editor of the Cook County News-
Herald,
for giving me a shot at being the West End correspondent 15 years ago. I’m thankful to current News-
Herald
Publishers Hal and Deidre Kettunen for giving me a shot at being editor of the Cook County Star
11 years ago—and then of the News-Herald
two years ago.
I’m proud to be part of the hardworking News-Herald
team. We’re so lucky to have an interesting variety of columnists—Coach Mitch who sometimes strays into politics but always cares about the kids; Joan whose warm and witty tales take us along with her on walks around Devil Track Lake or treks to Tucker Lake; Gunflint guide Cory who shares fishing tips and a sample of life on the Trail; and food columnist Sandy who always, always makes us laugh.
I’m glad I get to share office space with Laurie, our talented night-owl ad designer; Jane, our detail-oriented and dogged reporter; Bill, our wordsmith, subscription keeper and comedian; and Brian, our absent-minded professor ad guy/writer.
I’m thankful for all of them.
And of course, I wouldn’t have these wonderful co-workers were it not for the public that supports us. It means so much to all of us at the News-Herald
to have the help of the community—help with sports write-ups, pictures of community events we can’t make it to or of wildlife that we never seem to see. I love seeing the exchange of opinions in the letters to the editor each week. I appreciate that you share your ups and downs with us—with birth announcements, engagements, weddings, and sadly, with obituaries.
And of course, we are so grateful to all of our advertisers who help us bring the news—good and bad—to the community each week.
To everyone—my family, friends, co-workers and community—thank you for the blessings you bring into my life. May you all have a very happy Thanksgiving.
In ordinary life we hardly realize that
we receive a great deal more than we
give, and that it is only with gratitude
that life becomes rich.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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