I hope you can forgive me, but this was bound to happen sooner or later. I’m ill at the end of this week and between my health and the holiday, I’m unable to finish any of the stories I was working on. There are no other employees at Copper Beacon yet, so if I can’t go out and report, the reporting just isn’t happening.

That said, I’m actually thankful that this is the week I got ill. It’s a slow week because of the holiday, with no important meetings, all I’m really missing is some photo opportunities and the chance to wrap up a story this week that I’ll do next week instead. There’s been only one other week in the last year that offered the same opportunity, so I’d say my luck is good! Also, while I was miserable Friday, I’m not showing any key COVID-19 symptoms and feel like I’m on the mend today. More to be thankful for!

I’ve found that gratitude for what is good in life to be the key to finding happiness. It doesn’t matter what you have, if you aren’t thankful for it, you’ll never be happy. That’s why I love Thanksgiving as a holiday. For me it’s not about the checkered past of America’s first white settlers, it’s about thinking over the last year and remembering what I have to be grateful for, what I have to be happy about, and remembering to express it and carry that gratitude forward into the next year.

There are many things to be grateful for; the roof over my head, the food in my belly, the new friends I’ve made, the old friends I’ve kept, and the problems I’ve left behind.

There’s more I’m thankful for, too. At the top of the list is you.

Yes, you.

If you’re reading this, I’m incredibly thankful for the attention you’ve paid this little website over the last year. While it has demanded my attention, it has humbly asked for yours, and you’ve seen fit to grant it. That’s something you didn’t have to do, and I really appreciate the time you spend with my work.

Stepping away from my full-time employment and into this new venture was done suddenly and without much planning, and the community offering quick and strong support to me is the only reason I’m still publishing now.

Late Edition became Copper Beacon because of and for you, and it would not have happened without your readership and support. The journey is far from over, and I hope this momentary lapse in coverage won’t impact your decision to follow along as we develop as a nonprofit and continue to tell your stories and the stories of your friends and neighbors.

To wrap things up, I don’t really feel the need to do this after the wonderful year you’ve all given me, but it seems to be customary for nonprofit organizations to ask for donations this weekend. I can’t bring myself to put any extra pressure on any of you, but if you aren’t currently a paying subscriber, please consider it. Copper Beacon continues and thrives on the support of readers like you.

And I’m always thankful when you share Copper Beacon with your friends, too.