Giving Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving, a day designed to give thanks. Thanksgiving isn't one of those major holidays for me, as growing up in Bermuda, we always went to school on Thanksgiving! After all, why would a British colony celebrate the pilgrims leaving England? But, I'm fully behind giving thanks and even though this Thanksgiving is much different than those before, I know that better days are ahead!

As I sit in my kitchen/broadcast studio at home, I think back over the 11 months and I have much to be thankful for. In no order and stream of consciousness

• I'm thankful for my wife. Since March we've spent more time together in 8 months than we have in a couple of years together. With her working from home March-June we ate every meal together. She truly is my best friend and I'm not sure I could have survived the pandemic without her
• I'm thankful for the tremendous community of Downeast Maine that has embraced me as one of their own. For those that share their stories and news information with me so I in turn can share it with everyone on the website. Living in Bangor, it would be impossible to write all the local Downeast stories without all the information!
• I'm thankful for the tremendous advertisers who have and continue to advertise with me. I truly know that 2020 has been difficult for businesses and as a commissioned based salesman, I only get paid based upon my advertising sales.
• I'm thankful for those who allowed us to flip WDEA AM 1370 to all Holiday music on November 10th. I think the station has never sounded better and is a welcome respite in this pandemic Holiday Season
• I'm thankful to the MDI/AOS 91, Ellsworth and RSU 24 schools that have shared information with me and trusted me to tell their stories
• I'm thankful for Alexa and the fact that my parents and children have an Alexa Show. It allows us to video conference with them in Florida, with Craig in Chicago, and even Collin a mile and a half away from us! My father loves the Little Debbie's Christmas Cakes, and I sent him a 5 boxes of 6. We have dessert each night together each having a Christmas Cake!
• I'm thankful for the Danes. Elmer, Pebbles and Wilma know when I need a Dane by my side. And when there's no room in bed in the middle of the night, and I go to sleep on the couch, Elmer comes with me so I won't be lonely
• I'm thankful for the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021. These 17 and 18 year olds have rolled with more punches thrown at them than anyone could have imagined. Yet throughout it all, they have endured
• I'm thankful for all the teachers and front line workers. Married to a teacher I can tell you that there's no place they'd rather be than in the classroom and the pandemic and all the changes has meant even the most veteran teacher is like a first year teacher. Their workloads have doubled if not more, yet they continue, teaching and advocating for their students.
• I'm thankful for those that wear masks, who realize that this isn't some made up disease
• I'm thankful that Mainers take care of Mainers and those they love. Whenever we have made a plea to help someone in need or for a good cause, you have come through without fail.
• I'm thankful for the Churches that have adapted, streaming services so that many who cannot or don't feel comfortable going to service can be comforted and hear the word of God while staying home
• I'm thankful for you. You make a difference. Everyone has weathered the pandemic and COVID-19 has beaten many of us down. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations and other celebrations have been markedly changed since March 2020. To those who haven't given up, to those who have adapted, and to those who have helped lift up others I thank you. To those who are feeling overwhelmed, grief or incredible sadness please reach out. Call 2-1-1. Call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 800-273-8255. The world is a better place because you are here.