This month is the first official National Gratitude Month, being recognized in the U.S. and Canada. Gratitude, they say, is more than being thankful. It is intentionally bringing to mind, and drawing in a sense of appreciation, for something specific. This is a good time to practice since it's one of the tougher weather months in the Northwoods... the in-between month. But it's also the month we celebrate heroes and freedom, and a little later on... food, families, tradition, and community. This is also a time of few visitors. The locals that have been so busy as hosts to a flurry of guests for the past many months, now take a breather and enjoy a little time to themselves, or maybe take the time to get out a bit more.Presque Isle feels different at this time, perhaps more than any other throughout the year. We feel it's name "almost an island" - a little isolated yet with an open road to always meet with others. We take the time to see our neighbors and family in a different way, in a way filled with a little more appreciation for what each person brings to our caring community.
As for me, the last bit of November 2015 will be much different than past years. Bill and I have been hit with the travel bug, and are gearing up for a visit to the Amazon River & Rainforest - a place where more than one-third of all of the known species can be found, including the anaconda! My grandkids tell me the legend is there is one nearly the length of a football field... it's "true," they saw it on YouTube. And while I may not be so enlightened as to be grateful for snakes, I am grateful for innocent beliefs, travel, community, home, and family... and the even the in-between month of November. Happy #NationalGratitudeMonth!
