Strange as it may seem, when you live in a big metropolitan city there is a good chance you will not know your neighbours by their first name, you’ll have no idea who just had a baby, who moved to Florida, or if the senior down the street could do with a little help once in awhile. But it’s not that way in small towns, and even more so in rural communities.
If you live in a North Thompson community you will surely know your neighbour. You probably know the names of their kids, and yes, even the cat and the dog. If you are next to a farm, you’ll probably know the goat is called Billy, and the big cow in the back pasture that every now and then goes ‘walk about’ is called Gertrude, and that she will happily follow you home if you offer her a peanut butter sandwich.
Yep, rural life has it’s perks, but never so much as when the Christmas season rolls around. This year that is especially true as the past few years of COVID have left it’s mark on everyone in some shape or form.
Some of us have had to say goodbye to a loved one, others have lost their employment, some lost their shelter, and some are still fighting the demons that have been left in the aftermath.
But here in our valley, folks continue to pitch in, help out, and in general assist in keeping life moving forward as comfortably as possible for all concerned within their communities. That can be especially true at this time of year, but in truth, it pretty much happens here 12 months of the year and 24-7 as well. Within the past month or so our communities have been blessed with neighbours plowing driveways for neighbours, firewood cut, split, and delivered at no cost for those going through a tough time, accommodation provided when the need was great, and also food and shelter provided for animal care when an unexpected emergency arose.
December is here, bringing with it the season when valley residents pull together even more than usual and make every effort possible to bring peace and joy to those who call this area home.
Within the Lower North Thompson ongoing fundraisers are already providing numerous ways to bring joy to the season. Numerous volunteers provide; Secret Santa for Seniors (donated new gifts for seniors in the community), the annual Barriere Community Christmas Dinner (a no charge sit down gathering for those who can attend, or for those who cannot attend in person the dinner is hand delivered to their door), the Christian Life Assembly and Lions Club Christmas Banquet Fundraiser, the Barriere Secondary Christmas dinner luncheon for students and staff prepared at the school by community residents and businesses, the Christmas dinner for Barriere Elementary staff and students, the District of Barriere Christmas Tree Light-up, and the Christmas At The Fair drive or walk through light display at the North Thompson Fall Fairgrounds.
A huge hug of appreciation to all those folks who donate to provide the Children’s Christmas Shopping Day so kids can choose and purchase their own presents for family and friends in a safe and private environment, to those who fill Nicky’s Red Wagon many times over at Interior Savings Insurance with numerous hamper packages and donations for the Food Bank, the Knitten Mitten Tree at Interior Savings that is annually overloaded with warm hats, scarves, gloves and much more, the Christmas Hamper packages created by AG Foods, the amazingly dedicated volunteers at our Food Bank, all those great folks who pick up necessities from Kamloops for local folks who can’t get there, or the very much appreciated folks who driver others to appointments in Kamloops, the Stuff The Cruiser event that helps fill Barriere Food Bank hampers, the caring people who drop in with free lunches or home cooked goodies for others who are volunteering their time for organizations or groups and events in the community, those irreplaceable individuals who are ever willing to lend a hand or to pick up groceries or prescriptions, give someone a ride, or help push a vehicle out of a snowbank, and of course the great giveback from our local businesses and merchants who continuously go that extra mile for their customers and their community. You are all so appreciated.
I know about all these wonderful events and the amazing and caring people who make them happen because I have been writing about you in this newspaper for just shy of 30 years.
As I am officially retired as of Nov. 30, this will be my last issue of the North Thompson Star Journal sitting in the editor’s chair.
However, before I hand the keyboard over to another I want to say how much I have enjoyed my tenure here, and how the opportunity to tell the world about our valley, and about who we really are has been truly amazing and a highlight of my journalism career.
The residents of this valley continue to prove that every individual can make a difference. Sometimes the giveback is just a smile, a touch to a shoulder, the holding of a hand, or giving a hug to help brighten someone’s day.
Sometimes it’s simply living in a community where people really do care for each other because it truly comes from the goodness of their heart.
It has given me great pleasure to be able to tell your story.