Election fatigue has set in. This is irony at its best. I haven't lived here long enough to be able to vote, but because of this job, I know who all the candidates are and actually have a solid opinion on who I would vote for. But I don't get to mark any Xs on Saturday. This piece is not about dogs again, but gratitude. However, if you read my column, you will have noted I am canine crazy. I shall start by saying that my dog, who I adopted from a shelter just over a year ago, is gravely ill. I have shed many tears over her in the last few weeks. She is just two years old, and the unfairness that has plagued her young life bugs me.
But then, I interviewed Elias Minatsis, a young dad and husband who has faced repeated bouts of brain cancer as if they were stones in his shoes. Both he and his wife Chelsea are the kind of people who help others put things in perspective without kicking them in the pants or telling them to buck up. They simply inspire. Living with humility, joy and gratitude go a long way in showing the rest of us how not to take things for granted.
There was the highly decorated retired serviceman at the humane fox hunt last Saturday in Roberts Creek. Someone must have sewn a board into his suit jacket to hold all those medals up. Whenever I see older men in decorated uniform, I can't help but soften my gaze and look slightly through them to the boy they were during battle. And that inspires gratitude and brings a tear to my eye every time.
I was at the SPCA this week and met Polly, the little border collie dog highlighted in Coast Reporter. Though heavily medicated for her infection and injury, she too inspired me. I will admit, when reading her story, I wondered if euthanasia would have been more humane than to put her through treatment with unknown outcomes. But, looking into those brown eyes, I know she is worth the time, love and money being invested in her by this community. All of you inspired me and she will offer gratitude to someone one day with dogged loyalty.
OK, I said this wouldn't be about dogs. Sorry. I think my very simple point this week is to challenge all of you, and me too, to take time out of each day and acknowledge what is right in our lives no matter how small it is. Everyone back home on the Prairies is sure I will become desolate because of the rain and gray skies out here on the Coast. Those of us born and raised Flatlanders like to declare we'd rather have sun and minus 40 with a wind chill than live in the sopping rain all winter long.
Yet, I have to say that today, under cloudy damp skies, I was happy that I didn't have to pull on five layers plus boots to stave off frostbite and spend five minutes warming up my car engine to go home for lunch and check on the dog.
See, this gratitude thing is pretty simple.
I think part of the reason I have election fatigue is due to the negative campaigning that some candidates and several citizens have gotten into. Character attacks have never done much for making my day.
That said, I will shake off my election fatigue long enough to say: thank you to the men and women who let their names stand for Sechelt council, Gibsons council, the regional district board and school board. Whether I agree with your opinions or not, thank you for being brave enough, committed enough and willing to take time out of your lives in service to our Sunshine Coast community.
