Compliments and Kudos
No doubt there are many good things to say about the Tobacco Valley. Hardly a day goes by that you don't see something lovely, like the lilacs blooming in front yards or the alpine glow on the mountains. And then there are all the people who live here, reaching out with kindness to their neighbors and friends.
Someone buying used books at Rendezvous was 50 cents short, and the people standing behind her in line immediately began digging for change. Marriah Miller had the fabulous idea to take our appreciation for all the good people in the valley a step farther. She started a public Facebook group called "Eureka MT Compliments and Kudos"). She describes it as "a group designated for the purpose of perpetuating positive thoughts including praise, compliments, gratitude, tributes and well wishes....You are welcome to post any ideas that will be perceived by others as having good intentions."
Marriah created this online wonder last fall, and it is already packed with all sorts of kudos that will make you feel good. Shoutouts to new businesses for making our town look better, to the city police for the tough job they have, to the folks who organized events for children during the holidays and to the person who plowed a neighbor's driveway. Small acts and big ones, ones that can be associated with an individual or a group and some kind acts that were done anonymously. There are times when your tax bill and the network news might get you down. You wonder why you should even bother getting up in the morning. Take a moment to read Eureka MT Compliments and Kudos. You will be glad you live in such a great community, and you might even be inspired to thank someone who did something for you. We want to thank Marriah for her fabulous idea.
About the Author: Rita Collins. I am a believer in the power of community and for now I call the Tobacco Valley home. I have lived in nine states and three counties and this community here amazes me - how people reach out to neighbors and even travelers. I've never lived in a place that demonstrates people caring for each other so well. And I've never lived in a place that has such a high percentage of talented musicians and artists. I work with the the Sunburst Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that began in Eureka twenty years ago and now serves numerous communities in western Montana. And I just started a new business, St. Rita's Amazing Traveling Bookstore and Textual Apothecary. I never could have imagined life being this exciting in my sixth decade.
