By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff
I’ll be the first to admit that the question, “What are you thankful for?” gets old quickly this time of year. At the same time, despite my desire to respond with a snarky “indoor plumbing,” I do find myself spending an awful lot of time in the fall and winter months being grateful. Maybe it’s the cheesy but admittedly effective memes my grandmother shares on Facebook, but I’m feeling it. My select shout-outs for the 2018 thankful season are:
The Libraries. Yes, the Sandpoint Library, but also the Clark Fork Library — my home most afternoons. Both locations have the most selfless, knowledgeable and friendly staff members. I live the rare life of a 20-something with no internet or TV at home, so wifi and rented DVDs are godsends. It seems that it’s becoming harder and harder to find quiet places where people will leave you alone but offer help if needed, and that for me is the library.
Random acts of kindness. Good golly, I can’t count how many people I’ve had hold the door for me in the last week. They make eye contact, they smile, they say, “You’re welcome.” Sometimes, they even say, “Have a nice day.” It is incredible what this can do for a person’s day, so spread the niceness.
My family and friends. Aw yes, I went there. I have to! I am surrounded every day by kind, thoughtful, fun and funny people. I am lucky to have most of my immediate and extended family nearby, and to have easy access to my sisters and others who live far away thanks to this cool thing called my smartphone. What’s even cooler is having a significant other who’s family is also nearby and treats me like I’ve always been a part of the clan. This is some good stuff for the soul, people!
The Reader fam. Speaking of families, nothing has shown me the power of community like working for the Reader for the last year and half. The Reader fam is me, Ben, Cameron and Jodi, but it’s also the advertisers on these pages, our team behind the scenes at Keokee, the people contributing their words, and anyone willing to put up the money/time/support to keep our office open. This family is large, it’s fierce and for that I am eternally grateful.
Indoor plumbing. But seriously.
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Coming up this week! Don’t miss Festivus, Skiing with Santa, Hogwire, and more! See the full list of events in the 
