Dear Fellow Mainers,

Sometimes we all look outside and wonder why we are here, in this snow and cold. Sometimes surviving the high oil prices and adding plowing, shoveling and slippery roads seems more than anyone should be willing to tolerate.

This winter has been particularly harsh and has drawn deeply into our pockets, more deeply than we could imagine at times. We often feel ashamed to ask for help and do so quietly and humbly.

Personally I have been the recipient of much kindness from dear friends who have assisted me personally.  The kind words of Janice Mellyn, who administers the CHIP program when I called her for oil assistance have sustained me in dark times. Her gentle voice on the other end of the line, her unjudgemental nature and deep faith that all will be well are an example to us all.

We should not be embarrassed to turn to our fellow Mainers when we are in need. There is no reason to hang our heads, many are here with us, silently waiting and unsure. If we stand up bravely and let others know that we too have hard times, then they will share their stories with others. Perhaps some who are able will one day ' pay it forward', as I hope to do always. Perhaps some reading this can offer a hand, or a donation to CHIP or the Community Energy Fund or just donate a bag of extra canned goods to their food pantry. Every bit counts and it all adds up to one more family warm, one more child with a full stomach at night, one less person feeling isolated and in distress.

Thank you for reading this note, which comes with the deepest of gratitude to all those dear people who have made this winter easier for many, many people, including me.

May you all be richly blessed,
 
Ellie Hinds
Nobleboro