Sometimes, it’s difficult to feel thankful. Here at the I-R, we are still moving through the loss of longtime editor/publisher Linda Mowery-Denning. Some days are easy, others are not.

Holidays can be difficult for those who have suffered a loss. The first Thanksgiving/Christmas/birthday/ Mother’s Day/Father’s Day/etc. isn’t easy.

We want to encourage our readers to look around. Chances are you know someone who has experienced a loss in the last year. So many of us are good at putting on a happy face, but please know that it isn’t always easy. Sometimes, we want to be sad, and that’s perfectly OK.

If you can carve out a few minutes during this holiday weekend to reach out to a friend, community member or neighbor who has lost a loved one in the last year, we encourage you to do so. It can be a phone call, text, or even a note expressing their importance in your life.

It’s truly the small acts of kindness that can go a long way. And those who are moving through sorrow, grief and loss will be thankful you took the time to extend kindness.

Karen Bonar Publisher