STUFFED with GRATITUDE

The Press asked readers last week to share experiences with paying it forward and expressions of thankfulness.

Here's some joy for your Thanksgiving breakfast.

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“Several years ago, a doctor in line at Big Blue Coffee (in the lobby of my doctor's office) paid for my coffee order. It made my day! Since then, whenever I am at my doctor's office, or I just stop by for some of their excellent coffee, I pay it forward.”

Cindy Matthews, Post Falls

“While eating breakfast at the Blue Plate on Veteran's Day last week, I asked the owner, Kim, if there were any customers who were veterans that I could pick up their tab. She said I was too late! Blue Plate gifted all Veteran's meals that day. Kim, her brother and parents are always taking care of their community. They already are collecting gifts to donate this Christmas. They are amazing folks!”

Jim Lyon, Hayden

“A local surgeon bought coffee cards for the staff at 2207 COVID testing center when the staff were out in the snow working to protect the community. Thank you for the heartwarming gesture.”

Raeleen Dorr

“I'm extremely grateful for my family and friends, the many precious clients that walk through my door, and to call beautiful CDA home!”

Lynne Clark, Coeur d’Alene

2020 blessings abound with Red Hot Mamas

SHINING ON in our community after canceled St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland trip.

Sharing Joy of monthly community service and unadvertised, mandate adhering, humorous, “flash” performances at NIC, parks, neighborhoods, assisted living homes and food drives.

Hanging with beautiful unquenchable kindred spirits sharing love, care, and prayer power.

Enjoying distanced masked rehearsals kindly provided by Tedder Industries, One Place church, National Guard, Northwest Tile and Flooring.

Happiness of secret 10-Mama Christmas parade soon.

The Red Hot Mamas, Coeur d'Alene

“Hi, my name is Rona Post. I work for the Post Falls School District. I have so many things to be thankful for through this time. First of all, I am so thankful that I have Jesus in my life. Without him I don’t know how me and my family would have survived.

I am thankful for my husband who is always by my side through everything. I am thankful for my daughter who is in the medical field taking care of very sick people. I am thankful for my mom and dad who are in their eighties and came down with COVID-19. We thought we were going to lose my dad and he pulled through it. With lots of prayers my family survived.

I am grateful for my mother-in-law who has been sick and is getting better. I am grateful for my prayer team. Last but not least, I am so grateful for the kitchen ladies for feeding so many kids through this pandemic.

Rona Post

First, I am grateful that the CdA Press has decided to give all of us an opportunity to voice what we are thankful for! I am thankful for the administration and staff at all assisted living/memory care facilities, especially the Village at Orchard Ridge for keeping seniors healthy and safe while trying to provide them with as much normalcy as these times permit.

I am thankful for Zoom and FaceTime videos!

I am thankful for all who have been flexible and creative to persevere through the COVID crisis!

Michele Magnuson, Coeur d’Alene

“I am thankful for many things this year. I am thankful for good health and for staying well. I am thankful for a family who loves me as they love the Lord. But, just as important, I am thankful for the citizens of Idaho, many of whom are simply ignoring the Governor's mandate to wear masks and social distance. I am thankful that I live in Idaho and not California, Oregon, Washington or New York.

Jim Hollingsworth, Hayden

My friend of over 50 years sent this to me long ago. She died last February. I see it everyday. A reminder that we are more blessed than we think we are.

Troy Evans, Post Falls

“A woman behind me kindly and generously paid for my coffee in the drive-through line at the Starbucks on Ironwood a few weeks ago. It really made my day and I appreciated that gesture so much. I have paid it forward twice since then at the same location to unsuspecting customers in front of me. I hope more people get inspired to pass on kindness in our community in their own special way.”

Laura Arm, Coeur d'Alene

“Like many in our community, I've spent the last few weeks raking leaves and piling them next to the curb for city pick-up. I know I'm supposed to keep the gutter clear for water drainage, but I'm not always on top of it. The other day I saw my neighbor clearing the leaves from the street gutter in front of MY HOUSE. She is at least two decades older than me, and I've also caught her using her snowblower in the winter to clear my sidewalks. My neighbor's random acts of kindness encourage me to do good for others, and I hope it will encourage the same in your readers.”

Ben Morton, Coeur d'Alene

“I am thankful for my co-workers, Holly and Kimber. I couldn’t make it through each day without them.”

Jodi Buttrey, Hayden

“I'm thankful for so many things this year! For some, this may be a stretch. For me, I'm thankful for my family who I love and miss so much, and my physicians, Dr. Bertch and Dr. Jackson, whose patience and expertise saved my leg. I am also so lucky and thankful to live in such a beautiful place.”

Sandi Derby

“My favorite story is the day I pulled up to Jitterz, ordered my drink, and started to hand the barista my money when she told me my drink had been paid for! That was surprise enough, but when I asked her who it was that blessed me with a coffee, she pointed to the other drive up window and when I looked across the stand, I was staring into the face of my sweet daughter!

Mina McAnulty, Coeur d’Alene

“I am so grateful and thankful for the wonderful response to the Turkeys & More fundraising efforts this year to serve vulnerable families in Kootenai County. Generous donors provided funds to Heart Reach, our new sponsor, to buy 1,800 turkeys to distribute. Our goal is to fight hunger and feed hope and over 7,000 people who enjoy Thanksgiving meals in their homes this year will realize what a caring community they live in. Blessings to our donors and others who have supported making Thanksgiving more joyous this year. A special thanks to our committee members and volunteers who made the distribution possible.”

Evalyn Adams, Coordinator of Turkeys & More

“I am thankful for Kootenai General Surgery’s Dr. Heidi Jackson and Dr. Marcus Torgenson for saving the lives of my daughter and my husband this year. Also, to the hospital staff on 2 South, who took care of them. Especially nurse Ana, who provided excellent care and nurse, Jordan, who alerted staff when my daughter was getting worse before needing emergency surgery. So thankful to have them alive and well!”

Leslie Balsley, Rathdrum

“Went to Super1 to pick up a few things like cookies for grandkids and a gentleman ahead of me paid for my groceries! What a sweet surprise!”

Pat Roland, Post Falls

“Constant companionship with Jesus.

A lifetime of family and friend memories.

Healing procedures keep us kicking (Dennis’ quintuple bypass still ticking and Mikki’s 10 year medically incurable cancer recently in another remission).

Valerie Kastens, VA Dr. Seeley and Kootenai Cancer Clinic

Trying some new ideas that actually relieve physical difficulties.

Communing with God in Deep still times.

Experiencing yet another level of love in our 50 year marriage we celebrate this December along with hope for a rowdy ‘50s Prom Party in 2021.

Our daughter’s perseverance and strength.

Seeing our adult grandchildren work out life.

Building, with sweet sisters, an enjoyable life for our 92 year old mom.

NIC steadfastly holding safety measures making it possible to enjoy our positions on facility team and faculty.

Cooking mostly yummy new stuff.

Not that trials have been absent, yet even those can become pathways of faith to rich blessings."

Dennis and Mikki Stevens, Post Falls

“After seeing my doctor in Spokane I decided to go to my old haunt, Dave's Bar & Grill, for breakfast. While looking at my old rifle Dave had implanted under glass in the bar, the friendly patrons there thanked me for my service in WWII, then paid for the giant omelet I ordered for my breakfast. My heartfelt thanks from a 94-year-old American.

Leo Benoit, Coeur d’Alene

“2020 has not been the best year I can remember, but I have felt God’s presence throughout.

Both my husband, Chuck, and I came down with COVID-19. My condition was not as bad as his, but he developed pneumonia and ended up in the hospital on the COVID unit, part of that time in ICU. Thankfully he is home again and getting better daily.

While at Kootenai Medical Center he was blessed with very caring doctors, nurses, and other dedicated hospital workers. They work long hours caring for very sick patients under difficult circumstances, yet he was treated with kindness and dignity. They work that unit knowing they too could contract COVID, and some have. So this is a shout out to them as they are heroes, and very much appreciated. It was their care and the countless prayers that went up that carried him through.”

Sue Anderson, Post Falls

“Beginning of last week in the evening I was walking my dog when I noticed a man on East Hayden Lake Road by Sportsman Park Road. It had been snowing and blowing for a couple of hours and he was covered in snow. Turns out he was trying to get a signal on his phone to call a friend as he had run out of gas.

"I brought him to my home and gave him our house phone but it seemed his friend would not come get him as I heard him say ”I don’t have any money but I can pay you tomorrow." Seemed like the friend wasn’t coming. I quickly got a gas can, loaded him into my truck, drove him in the snow to his car, put gas in the car all the while he was saying, “I can’t pay you,” and my response was “pay it forward.” Car started and off he went, hopefully to pay it forward.”

Bob Humiston, Hayden

“Although I’m grateful for almost everything in my life, this year I’m particularly grateful that we were able to check off our bucket list a trip to Ireland with our son and his family in February, just before COVID hit here. There we also visited Rathdrum, Ireland, which is the town our own Rathdrum was named after!

Second, I’m grateful that I now have 20/20 vision after cataract surgery. I shall always remember the year I had that surgery: 20/20 in 2020! Lol.

Third, I’m grateful we haven’t contracted the virus. Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving!”

Patrice Stills, Rathdrum

I'm just writing to share my blessings story even though I don't know if it is, but with how 2020 has been for a lot of people, maybe it is. But simply, even though life is difficult and sometimes I don't feel like I know why I'm here, I can say I was given a second chance this year in March, just before the pandemic gripped us in every way. I had gotten sick with a normal flu but I developed an ear infection that I never fully got taken care of, and it developed into bacterial meningitis. I went into the hospital March 31 to find this out. Had I not, I most likely would not be here today, writing this e-mail.

If it weren't for my team of doctors, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Larson, Dr. Fogherty and Dr. DeTar, and the nurses and other staff, for the two surgeries on my ear and head, and the other care I received, I don't know what today would be. This is my story and my blessing, even if I don't fully see it that way.

J.R. Conrow, Post Falls

“The best blessing is having our Lord to love. My next blessing is my friend healing from cancer — could not have done this without the faith, love, and trust in our father God.”

Nancy Keillor, Coeur d’Alene

“Only two registers were open at the Dollar Store. Expecting a quick trip then finding long lines, a woman became stressed. Her 85-year-old mother with dementia was alone in the car. She decided to return the items. I offered her my place at the front of the line. Customers behind me suggested we let her take cuts. It was a “pay-it-forward” moment, made sweeter by the M & M’s she gave in appreciation.”

Nancy C. Jeruzal, Coeur d'Alene

"My husband of 76 years passed away in 2019. I was not able to care for the house alone, so my son in Idaho said I could live with them. As I didn’t want to invade their privacy, I settled for a retirement facility. My son, determined that I live closer, searched for a house for me and moved my belongings to Coeur d’Alene. I am thankful to be near my son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."

Mary Douthit, Coeur d’Alene

Special thanks to Allen from Bellevue Healthcare for his incredible kindness. This young man offered to drop off my items on his way home from work one Friday afternoon. Sometimes my health limits my mobility and his willingness to do this act of kindness for me is something I shall not forget. God Bless you and all the wonderful employees at Bellevue Healthcare. You are very much appreciated.

Teresa Hummel

"Since moving here we have been recipients of several pay it forward gifts. The most amazing came while we were celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary at Cedars. Strangers, who wanted to remain anonymous, paid for our entire meal. This kind thoughtful gift made a special day into a memorable day. Now we have a chance to say Thank You."

Bonnie and Pat Patterson, Coeur d'Alene

"At first, we are thanking God for our faith, our family and friends."

Roger and Sherryl Gillaspy, Post Falls

ANGELS AND HEREOS ON TUBBS HILL & KOOTENAI HEALTH:

"I want to thank all of the paramedics, fire department , and hospital staff for coming to my rescue and care during my emergency that happened on November 1,2020.

While taking a walk with a friend, I fell down a steep embankment and onto some large boulders. All I remember was there were a lot of people that rushed over to help. They were offering prayers, taking their coats off to warm and cradle my neck, and called for help.

The rescue team came and put me in a basket and brought me up a steep embankment and narrow pathways to the emergency vehicle.

I came out with sprains and bruises and a broken foot/ankle, but am forever thankful for all that helped!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pamela Briggs

"I am very thankful to Chris Guggemos, Handshake Productions; and Char Beach, Cd'A Library, for providing safe music venues for our community this summer. This music uplifted my spirit during the difficult time of COVID."

Linda Tiger, Coeur d'Alene

For my wife, Sholeh, and my kids, Jason, Conor, Aaron, Kyle and Elena. No man has ever been more blessed.

Mike Patrick, Hayden