Canyon Lakers care

BY Aprile McKinnon

Hello everyone, I hope that you had a great week and that today finds you well.

This week, with the rainy weather, I had to push myself to get out of the house. I kinda enjoy keeping the comfy clothes on when it’s cold, windy and wet. One of the good things about working out of your home, you choose what to wear and what hat to put on. I love hats and wear a lot of them.

I have to share how touched I was this last couple of weeks while I was out and about in our community. I heard so many different stories while in the lake. Stories of new babies being born and the joy of becoming a grandparent. Stories about loss and the trials that come with losing a loved one. Stories of a new marriage and the excitement of planning a special day. Stories of health and divorce challenges. Stories of weight loss and new relationships.

It seems that everyone has a story. Stories of finding a passion, creativity, strength, endurance, friendships, fundraisers, giving back, taking, and encouragement. It seems that everyone has a story.

Encouragement. That is the one I want to touch on. That was the continuous thread that I found as I contemplated all that had surrounded me recently. Merriam-Webster defines encouragement as a word of action. To inspire with courage, spirit or hope. To attempt to persuade, to spur on, to give help.

I saw this throughout our community so many times these last couple of weeks, but also for my last 10 years living in Canyon Lake. Maybe that is because we have so many people involved in groups, clubs, and organizations who have a focus of loving and caring for others and it just rubs off on us. However, I have found it everywhere in this community.

I found it one day when I first moved to Canyon Lake. I was in a local bar feeling a little down that day. A man came up to me and started talking to me out of the blue. I have to be honest, I was a little nervous.

“Hi, I know this seems really weird,” he said, “but I feel this strong need to give you $300.”

I remember thinking, “Yikes, does he know my story?” Tears started to run down my face. Out of nowhere they came.

“I don’t know you, I don’t want you to pay me back, this is for you,” he said.

I was so shocked. Here I was having lunch with a friend and out of the blue a man offers to give me money. I was exactly $300 away from what I needed to pay my rent that was due soon.

That gentleman encouraged me. He gave me hope and he inspired me not to give up. I never will forget that day. I have shared that story many times. I was given the gift of encouragement. I was encouraged that there are great people out there and that my faith in mankind had just been strengthened.

I saw people these last few weeks hugging one another, holding hands, yelling “Bingo,” helping create beauty together, caring for one another, and sharing big warm smiles.

I heard others say to someone, “You are going to get through this.” We never really know what one is going through do we?

I have found that we all have lots of stories to share. Sometimes all we need is an ear to let us just let it go, a text that says, “I’m thinking of you,” or just a smile to warm the darkest of days…you know, those cold, windy, and wet ones.

Go on and do what you do best Canyon Lakers and don’t ever lose sight of all we can do together. Encourage each other daily and embrace the day.