The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Driving home after a lovely day at Johnson Park last week, I became flooded with memories of past holidays; who was there, who made dinner, who has since passed on and the new additions of people to call family. I couldn’t help but think of my grandma, she was exceptional at making any holiday special, but Thanksgiving was her favorite. This cable of thoughts and emotions combined with the golden-gloom of SR-4 and the holidays approaching-prompted me to focus on Gratitude. Disclaimer: Men, please do not lose your hat, as your time of appreciation will come.

To the Women, all women and women of the future. To those women who relentlessly and lovingly show up, every day. To the grandmothers. To the first-time moms. To the single mothers, who somehow make it all happen. To the women who patiently teach. To the entrepreneurs who saw a vision and fought for it. To the women who selflessly volunteer their time to the greater good. To the young women in high school, who stand up for what’s right. To the women who have committed their life to the care of a family member. To the women who protect and serve. To the women who are devoted to your child’s care and the women who prepare their lunches. To the women who are suffering a loss, who are going through life changes and the women who are back to square one. To the women who captain, the women who log and the women who keep your electricity flowing. To the women in recovery and doing the work. To the women of justice and the women who answer the phone. To the women who make up the important acronyms of the county- the EMTs, the VFD’s and the PTO’s. To every single woman behind a cash register, pouring a beverage or taking an order. To the women in uniform who are far away from home. To the women photographers, journalists and newspaper editors who uphold the tradition of published print. To the women who fish, who farm and who hunt. To the women who spend their professional careers counseling and seeing to the wellbeing of others. To the women of social service and outreach. To the women who drive bus, women in sanitation and the women of medicine. To the women in shelter and to the women who run it. To the women aligning your spine or massaging your back: “Thank you. You are appreciated.”

The women of this county are some of the toughest, most inspiring and invaluable people I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. Let your favorite women know how thankful you are, I guarantee you won’t regret it.

Tomorrow, Friday the 22nd the Walkers take off at 9 a.m., followed by the Brown Bag lunch at 11, kicking off our CC Holiday Decorating Day. The wild and talented group of Community Center volunteers/hosts/enthusiasts will be decorating the tree and getting ready for the arrival of Santa! If you want to join in, please do. Free Movie Friday will start at 7 p.m.

Thursday Nov 28, Thanksgiving Day, you are invited to join in the Community Dinner 1-4 p.m. The dinner is held at the Hope Center (3rd and Maple) and is a lovely time for all. If you would like to reserve a spot for yourself or your family, please RSVP to Jean Beerbower @ 360-849-4360.

Saturday Nov 30 is the town Tree Lighting and Vendor festivities. Join in on shopping local goodies and bask in the beautiful lights and decoration of Main Street. The Community Center is where St. Nick will be 6-8 p.m. Bring your little ones to get their picture with the Big Man. Fun and light-hearted joy are available for everyone.

Thank you, Wahkiakum. I am grateful for you.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." --Hamilton Wright Mabie.