Jasmine White and her pug, Bella, on a cross-country road trip to Salem (Courtesy/Jasmine White)
We asked readers what’s helped them get through this year, and what they’re grateful for now. Here’s a selection of the responses we received. Do you want to join in? Send a note and photo if you have one to reporter Rachel Alexander at [email protected].
My pug, Bella, rode across the country with me when I drove here from Washington DC in August. This will be my first Thanksgiving in Salem. Having her around makes this very tough season a little bit easier.
-Jasmine White
I’m grateful for all the thoughtfulness, giving, and teamwork our community has when it comes to supporting and helping each other during difficult times.
-Elise Bauman
We are grateful for the 33 happy years we’ve been together. While everyone is tired of Covid, we just want to say…keep calm and wear your mask. This too shall pass.
-Phil and Theresa Lee
Dana Campbell and son Christian boogie boarding at Cannon Beach in the summer of 2020 (Courtesy/Dana Campbell)
Thankful that my son Christian, a recent HS grad and I had a total blast getting to go Boogie Boarding several times at Cannon Beach during the late spring / summer / extended fall – since he is zooming school due to Covid!
-Dana Campbell
I’m grateful for the new kidney I got last year.
-Juley Kingsley
Both my husband & I have multiple risk factors that increase our risk levels for COVID and are so grateful for the members of the Salem community who wear masks in public. We believe this is the only way our health will stay safe, our businesses will be able to stay open and our economy to stay strong. It takes all of us working together to get over this. Thank you Salem for caring enough about your neighbors to wear a mask and stay safe.
-Clara Taylor
I am grateful for my health during this time, as well as the health of my family.
In large part, having a garden this summer was a lifesaver. I have had them in previous years, but this time around, I appreciated being able to spend so much time puttering around, especially when the produce began appearing. This definitely allowed me to take my mind off of the situation with the virus.
-Brian Sund
(Courtesy/Jim Craven)
We are very thankful that we have our corona covered carport complete with propane fire ring. It’s been a great spot for social distancing in the fall.
-Jim Craven
I am thankful for having a place in Salem to move into with my big, happy, mostly blind rescue dog, living in a house owned & occupied by a friend of a new friend, at low cost. I am thankful for the oncology team at Salem Health.
-Mindy Machanic
I am thankful that I have not lost any family or friends to this pandemic. I work in healthcare, so everyday I don’t become infected is a good day.
I am thankful there is a vaccine within reach. There is hope for an end to this pandemic. I have viewed this virus as a threat to my very existence on this earth. I see it as the final curtain call to people of my parent’s generation.
I am ready to ring in the New Year with hope.
-Robert Walsh
Anne Johnson with her grandma, Barb Boatwright, and younger sister a few decades ago. (Courtesy/Anna Johnson)
My grandmother used to spend afternoons at her kitchen table playing solitaire with a well loved deck of cards. I’ve taken up the habit this year, and while it helps me avoid doom scrolling, I also feel close to my grandma.
-Anne Johnson
The biggest thing I am thankful for is this opportunity to practice delayed gratification. I’ve also started meditating to help cope with this pandemic and the losses, and you know what? It works!
-Rebecca VanderMalle
I am grateful for the many people who have used their creativity to find ways to take care of customers and employees in brand new ways. For example, restaurants changing to take-out, distilleries retooling to make hand sanitizer, clothing makers making and donating masks, teachers inventing how to teach online. I am also inspired by the volunteer efforts and donations to help the victims of September’s wildfires.
-Mary Vandecoevering
I am thankful for the opportunity to stay home. My work has required extensive travel in the past and with health needs for family 2020 has been a blessing instead of a curse. We wish others the opportunity to seek the small joys as we collectively battle the challenges which continue to lie ahead
-Elin Miller
I’m grateful for many things, especially that my 90-year-old father survived pneumonia.
–Robin Cunningham
The highlight of the whole pared down life we live in these pandemic days is our yard and garden. Lots of time to spend appreciating all the life in our own city yard! Birds, squirrels, insects, all sorts of plants to enjoy looking at and eating from. Lots of quality outdoor time, where we can forget the inconveniences of our current life and get drawn into the cycles of seasons just outside our home.
-Merrily McCabe
Melanie Weston outside her new gallery, Salem on the Edge (Courtesy/Melanie Weston)
I am grateful for being able to open a gallery in downtown Salem. I have had meaningful conversations with so many who have walked through my door. I needed art and apparently so many others did too. And a BIG shout out to the downtown community, and everyone who is making an effort to support small businesses!
-Melanie Weston
