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Much to be grateful for

Editor: For years I've been writing letters to the editor, kvetching about one thing or another.

Editor:

For years I've been writing letters to the editor, kvetching about one thing or another. Sure, there's always something to complain about - the ferries, our inadequate highway, logging in watersheds, leg-hold traps in the great outdoors, unpopular decisions by councils -the list goes on.

But there are also so many things to be grateful for living on the Sunshine Coast: the quiet at night, and the darkness -on clear nights you can see the stars! Instead of concrete, there's so much "wilderness" for us to enjoy, along with the wildlife, with which it is a privilege to co-exist.

People on the Coast are friendly and caring and generous. There's always some cause that needs money, whether it's an operation for a sick child, paying a vet bill for a pet owner on a fixed income, money collected for less fortunate Coasters, and for places around the world that have been hit by natural disasters.

People here are happy to give. An army of volunteers and many businesses collect toys and donations, put together Christmas hampers, man the food banks and the Elves Club and help with so many things. There are always fundraisers, benefit concerts and auctions.

We have so many wonderful community events. Music in the Landing in Gibsons on summer nights featuring the Coast's world-class musicians, Light the Lights at Rockwood to put us in the Christmas spirit. Night markets, farmers' markets, craft fairs. We have a thriving arts community to enrich our lives.

Sechelt and Gibsons have that wonderful small-town feeling. When I'm in town I always run into people I know and stop to chat; I'm recognized in stores. I feel like I belong here. I have great neighbours who help each other out.

This is truly a wonderful place to live.

Cecilia Ohm-Eriksen, Sechelt