Hey Howdy Hey: Thankful for Lincoln

I know I have been sending out thanks to individuals and organizations, etc. and I will continue to do so, but this week I want to send a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the folks out there who make up this wonderful little community called Lincoln, Montana.

When I had first moved here in the early 90’s, one of the things I loved so much about the town was how welcoming the people were here. Not always would they ask, “what you were doing”, they would give you a sincere and caring “how are you doing.” That’s Lincoln for you. The people here really do care about you.

I had left Lincoln in 96 and I had traveled around a bit, but I always kept in the back of my mind how much I loved Lincoln and its people and hoped that I could come back someday. I did come back for a bit in the early 2000’s but only for a few months and was gone again. Then I was back last year when I worked at the school and then gone again.

Sometimes I like to call myself a “rebel without a clue.” I often ask kids what they are going to be when they grow up, just so it will give me an idea of what I’m going to do. Anyway, I was living down in Philipsburg last year after leaving Lincoln. The only place I could find to live or afford to live was this little chicken coop they had turned into a little room. It had a bed, a little table, microwave, small fridge and no indoor plumbing. It was all I needed for Trooper and me, but I did not want to live in there this last winter, so I had a plan to move to Anaconda and I had put it on Facebook. Well, some nice folks here were wanting me to move back, they had said some really nice things and made me feel good, so I decided to move back.

I have to say this last time back, Lincoln people have gone above and beyond to welcome me back. I moved into my little man cave, which I never would have gotten if it hadn’t been for Diane at the Senior Center and Carol Williams letting me know about it. Had that not been available, I would have had to leave again because I couldn’t find a place to live.

I am getting off track. I can’t name all the people mostly because I don’t know of all who had a part in it, but since moving into my little place I have had some very nice things happen to me that I am very thankful for. Not naming names, but one gal brought me towels, pillowcases, etc., and often food. Another gal brought me a couple mattresses for a bed. Through Christmas various folks brought by little gifts and candy and one thing that really touched my heart was a little Christmas tree with little ornaments on it with a message thanking me for all I do. I still don’t know who dropped it off, but I still have it up, I love it.

Then something happened that I was definitely not expecting. I had gotten a letter in the mail from Northwestern energy. It said someone special has given you a gift of energy. Someone special indeed. My first thought was “what did I do to deserve this?” Then I felt I needed to find out who it was so I could pay them back, then I thought that would take away from this wonderful act of kindness. I still don’t know who it was, but I am very thankful for it. I keep the little card up on my fridge so I will never forget it. I am thankful to the folks who have brought me carpeting and insulation. My floor is caving in, so the little house doesn’t hold heat too well. The insulation and carpeting really helped.

Around my birthday this last March, I would come home to little cards and letters. I’m not sure who they were from but I cherish them none the less. More recently while working at the store, a gal came through my line. She was buying those thick soup noodles and some meat. She told me she had a few family members who had colds and she was making them homemade chicken noodle soup and oatmeal cookies. I told her that really sounded good. A day or so later, I came home to a big jar of chicken noodle soup and a bag of oatmeal cookies and I knew just who they came from and it was as good as I imagined it to be.

That’s Lincoln folks for you! It just doesn’t get any better than that. This day in age and with everything going on, you really need to be thankful for all you have. Thankful for your family and your friends and as far as friends go, if you are blessed enough to live in Lincoln, Montana, you will have plenty of them.

I am going to end my story with a little prayer that was given to me by my good friend Rick Freeland. This prayer has really helped me, and I wish the same for you.

“Dear Father, I pray that I would see people the way you do. That everyone sees you in me. Hears you in me. That you would speak through me and that people would feel your compassion, understanding, and forgiveness through me. And most of all, that I would be a place of grace and truth always. I ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.”

Stay safe and God bless