Grateful

Well, what a year it has been! We are all just shaking our heads and saying to no one in particular, “Who would have ever thought?” In the history of mankind, there has been nothing that has affected virtually every human being on earth… not world wars, not pestilence, drought or starvation. 

It then follows that it must seem odd to all of us when we throw out the common greeting or parting of “Happy Holidays.” No matter how much the pandemic has affected anyone, from utter devastation to simply missing a normal night out, it’s just plain inhuman to be happy right now. But grateful is totally appropriate—grateful to be alive, grateful to have not lost a loved one, grateful to have a job, something to eat and a place to live.

As owners of the Stone House and Serenity, Holly and I are immensely grateful for the support of our tenants and advertisers. I have always been acutely aware that tenants don’t spend money on rent and advertisers don’t spend money on advertising just to help support Doug and Holly… not even a little. So that’s why I am grateful. Grateful that our clients are surviving well enough to continue spending on what they know is good for their business. And grateful that our businesses have not been ordered to shut down. When a business is shut down, the financial health of its customers is irrelevant. Nothing matters. There is nothing that can be done. 

So, I feel awful for our local shutdowns, especially the restaurants. If you haven’t, please read Holly’s Editor’s Eye column for her perspective on this sector of our community.

I am always cautious when speaking for Holly, but I think it safe to say that we are extraordinarily grateful for the support we have received from the community. There is no business or profit motive behind this kind of unsolicited support. It is freely given out of kindness and respect for what we do to make our community a better place to live.

It’s no secret that there has been plenty of Serenity naysayers this year on Wastebook and beyond. We have certainly learned the hard way that people will say things via their keyboards that they would never say in person. Or, they would at least be a little bit kinder in person. Honestly, I have never felt more humble than this year when so many people jumped to our defense. It’s one thing when someone defends you in person. It is quite another when dozens of people jump on  the internet and defend and support you where all the world can see. You all know who you are. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.