Welcoming 'outsiders'

Thank you!

When I first moved to Thompson Falls almost 10 years ago I was amazed at the way the community came together to help people in need. Fundraisers, auctions and spaghetti dinners were just some of the ways those in need were helped. It really didn’t seem to matter what your views were, what church you went to, or your politics. It was all about people helping people.

What has happened? Why have we forgotten that it’s the people who make a town. Why are we judging people who decided to sell their homes & businesses to “outsiders”? Why are we so critical of change?

This community educated me on what was important. Somewhere along the line we’ve forgotten that responsibility. Instead we chose to verbally attack people, instead of drawing them into unity in those things we can agree on.

There are rural towns in MT that are literally dying because there is no influx of people willing to invest in small communities. Where has our gratitude gone for those that invest here?

It is a fantasy that time will stand still and change won’t happen. Just look at Sherry Benton-Hagerman’s column to see an overview of more than a century of changes. It’s going to happen.

I’m attempting to bring focus back to the positive aspect of the PEOPLE, instead of things like the owners of Falls Motel choosing to sell their business. (Yes, there is an impact on neighboring residences that I sincerely hope will be mitigated. But it was already a non-residential use. And please remember that Town Pump is Montana owned and operated. It’s been around since 1953 - much longer than some of us.) It seems like some folks want the right to do anything they want with their own property. And at the same time dictate what others can do with theirs. Think about that.

I’ve noticed people often publish a thank you in The Ledger after a loved one dies - acknowledging those that have helped them. I don’t want to wait. I want to express that gratitude now, because people here need to know they are appreciated. And that not everyone is focused on pushing their personal agenda onto our community.

As anyone who knows me well is aware, my beloved husband Jim is in the last stages of his journey home. Having fought both cancer & dementia for at least a decade he’s nearing a peaceful end. I am reliant on friends & volunteers to watch him so I can get away to run errands once in a while. Today was one of those days. And it reminded me how incredibly blessed I am to live here. Every place I stopped was a reminder of the caring people here.

When we first moved to Pine Tree Hollow about 7+ years ago (and moved from there 5 years ago), God spoke to my heart. I was holding a broken tip of a petunia plant that I was rooting in water. God clearly told me “like that petunia you are a broken stem top, but I will root you deeply.”

No offense intended to anyone who is anti-God, etc. but today I became aware of those who have helped me grow deep roots here.

Please, take the time to consider what truly makes T Falls a community. And decide if ripping into the fabric of our town leadership & those who think differently than us is really the way to bring us all closer. Or if there isn’t a better way.

With Gratitude,

Fiona Walker,

Thompson Falls (and so blessed to be here)