-Isms: Views on life in rural America

The gift of gratitude. The topic has definitely been on my mind lately, even moreso as the holiday season approaches. I’ll blame TikTok for the latest obsession.

Earlier this month, East Idaho News, a digital news site based in Idaho Falls, began airing Secret Santa segments. An anonymous donor gave $1 million to bless community members who have fallen on hard times.

Recipients come from all walks of life: a 69-year-old widow diagnosed with cancer; a seasonal worker whose tools of the trade were stolen; a terminal cancer patient; a single mom struggling to make ends meet; a retired teacher who cares for his wife who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease; a young teacher who drives a 1980s pickup, on its last tire, so to speak, to school; a waitress who has spent 30 years waiting on others at a local Perkins.

The gift requests are simple, too: a new suit, assistance with medical bills, new tools, tuition money, a new vehicle. And, Secret Santa pitches in even more. Most recipients receive fuel money and/or grocery gift cards. Several are gifted utility assistance.

The stories resonate and are heartfelt because, at some point in most of our lives, we’ve been down on our luck and have been given a hand up, been presented with a fresh perspective.

In 2003, following the death of my husband, my sophomore English class nominated me for a Secret Santa gift from a local radio station. When I felt like my life was hitting rock bottom, my students suggested a day of pampering, including a hair cut and style, massage, mani and pedi, and dinner at my favorite restaurant.

An early-morning phone call was broadcast live, sharing my story with other listeners. It was frightening and humbling at the same time. I was nearly broke, a mound of medical debt piling higher than I knew I could climb. I felt despair. Spreading holiday cheer was far from my mind.

That gift refocused my energies and brought out the strongest version of me, a wake-up call, of sorts. I was grateful to my students, who recognized I needed to find my spirit ... and a new ‘do. I was thankful for their caring attitudes, they understood there would be days filled with ups and downs and they trusted we would brave the storm together.

And, we did.

As we enter the holiday season, let’s realize that, for some, the holiday season isn’t always holly and jolly. For some, the month-long frenzy between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a chaotic mess difficult to untangle.

We should be willing to help. On Page 1, I’ve included 50 ideas to offer an act of kindness. The ideas, though, are infinite. I urge you to remember friends and neighbors in need.

Happy Thanksgiving from the SAM fam to yours. Enjoy time with loved ones. And for those who experience difficulties during this time, may the day land gently.