Christmas is here, and the end of the year follows shortly. This has arguably been both a difficult year and one of the best in recent memory. As our country moves through difficult economic times, we have many things to be grateful for in Blue Springs. This is a truly a time to count our blessings.
I am thankful for seeing both of my daughters, Crystal and Ashley, grown and on their own as adults and hopeful for what I know will be a bright future for them.
I am thankful that my extended families, both adoptive and birth, are doing well and in my life. Yes, some are struggling with the current economic situation, but we still have each other to lean on and that is worth more than we can account for.
I am thankful to live in a great community where we are learning to work together, through our differences, for the betterment of all who live and work here. The visible progress is undeniable and with the latest announcements, our city has in place the building blocks to turn our economy around in the coming year.
I am thankful for having had the honor of serving our community and for participating in encouraging our community forward toward those goals that make a positive difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.
I feel blessed that I have gotten to know so many new friends in the nearly 25 years I have called Blue Springs my home. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we vision together and work toward a common goal.
Each day we get up and make a choice, whether to face the day with a positive attitude about the future. I for one choose to see the positive things that are happening around me. Yet, even when there are things in our community we might improve, we need to approach them with an attitude that improvement is not only possible, but inevitable.
I would encourage each of you to consider those things you are thankful for and to plan how you will make a positive difference in our community in the coming year. Get involved and volunteer in at least one new opportunity that benefits your neighbors and your community.
Thank you for your feedback and encouragement for the articles I write and for keeping up with what is happening in Blue Springs through my web site at www.AboutBlueSprings.com. You may contact me at jeffq@cprosinc.com. May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas/Holiday season and may your new year be prosperous and joyful!