Yesterday, a small experience reminded me how deeply grateful I am to live in this caring community of “Minnesota Nice” people.
My mother is here visiting again, as she often does from her home in Michigan. She is nearly 95, pretty slow moving and hard of hearing, but strongly independent.
I have a sneaking suspicion she times her visits in part to coincide with the foot care clinic days held at the Grand Marais Senior Center. Their schedule is one of the first things we look up when she arrives! She went yesterday and as usual was so warmly greeted and well treated. She arranged to come home a few hours later on the Arrowhead bus—door-to-door, on call any time. That way she could take her time in town, do some errands at Joynes or nearby, and indulge in a visit to Sivertson Gallery. Not surprising to me, she also stopped for a “little bite” at Blue Water Cafe.
While enjoying the soup lunch, she was joined in her booth by a friendly woman— perhaps a stranger or perhaps someone we know, whom Mom didn’t recognize? That was pleasant, and then a fellow stopped by the table to say hello too. But it didn’t stop there—when Mom got up to pay, the waitress said her bill had been paid!
Mom was floored. “Only in Grand Marais” she told me.
So if you were the generous man, one of those caring “strangers” at Blue Water Cafe on December 18, or you work or help out at the Senior Center, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Arrowhead Bus, Sivertson Gallery, or just anywhere in town, you are truly the best.
Jean Cochrane
Grand Marais
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