This year the Relay for Life is honoring the past Honorary Survivors Murray County has been fortunate enough to have “Come back to Murray County” Rosemary LeTendre says, ” If you are fighting cancer be positive. Look to other survivors for encouragement. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone. Don’t suffer in silence. Know that you will need a lot of rest.”
Kristin Hansen says, “Take one day at a time with faith and hope. Stay strong and positive. Remember God is with you through it all”.
Suanne Christiansen says, “Your cancer journey is unique to you. Grab onto the positives - Positive people, positive stories, positive experiences along the way. Your journey helps form the person you are and will be” Wayne and Shannon Pederson say, “Pray and pray some more. Ask the Lord for his love and support. Stay positive and know that you can beat cancer.”
Our Small Town: Everybody has on “our town,” the place where your heart lives. They come in all sizes and geographic features. It’s where roots are established, where destinies are shaped and values are formed. “Our towns,” aren’t buildings or streets, they are people of different national origins, religions, and races, each adding their own stamp to what the essence of what “our towns” really are.
I’m glad “our town” is a small town. I’m delighted almost everyone in town knows me, my husband, and even my dog. Yes, small town life can be riddled with gossip. But shared stories can also weave people and their lives together. I think the love of togetherness is why so many people gather over morning and afternoon coffee at the local bakery and cafes. As Margaret Thatcher once said, “It’s passionately interesting for me that the things that I learned in a small town, in a very modest home, are just the things that I believe have won the election.”
Some feel people in small towns seem nosy and invade their privacy. I think it is usually an unabashed concern. It’s for better, not worse, that nothing goes unseen and no one is forgotten. The citizens of a small town are concerned about helping each other. They drop what they’re doing when neighbors need help. They provide support during times of sorrow. They share joys and happiness, give encouragement and, most of all, they pray for their fellow citizens.
Small towns seem to be in the middle of “nowhere,” but I find “nowhere” has less crime and isn’t a target for terrorists and that’s comforting. And thanks to technology, small towns aren’t isolated from the world outside.
There may be cracks in our sidewalks, but we sure don’t let the people of our small town fall through.
Join us for the Relay on August 9th. Murray County Fairgrounds Survivor Registration by the Pork Stand. Park in the lot by the Horse Arena. See you at the Relay.
Linda Tobias 2025 Co-Chair
