Giving thanks and thanks and thanks . . .

My word, y'all . . . when it rains it pours!

Did you notice I missed Why I Fight Friday?

I was busy. Very busy.

With what, you ask? Well, let me just tell you.

First of all, remember my Which Side Are You On? post listing the groups for and against the coal plant HERE?

Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to go back and edit that post. On Thursday night our neighboring county, Isle of Wight, adopted a resolution of opposition to the coal plant!

Of course, my elected officials and ODEC went to their meeting to try to influence them, but to no avail. Isle of Wight realized that this coal plant is dangerous and threat to their economy. You can read a terrific blog post (and even watch video footage of the meeting--which got a little....heated!) HERE.

Please, please, please join me in thanking Isle of Wight supervisors for their vote HERE. No matter where you are from, these folks did the right thing for all of us, and that is getting harder and harder to come by in this world, don't you think? Give them some love, wouldja?

Now, the other thing that had me running around was a wonderful Christmas delivery I had the fortune of making. Remember my appeal to donate to our county's Project Joy campaign in my Christmas on the Front Lines post HERE?

Well....let me tell you: Y'all did good! Y'all did better than good! Together we raised $525!

And the letters? Man alive....was I feeling the love!

See what I mean? Thanking me? For asking you for money??

Notes from friends of friends:

Notes from those who have become some of my dearest friends:

And so many more. Truly, I will cherish each and every one of you who were a part of this!

Not only did you make a difference in the lives of some needy children and make me feel amazingly blessed, but as I handed the check over to the Project Joy coordinator--a lovely woman, who wholeheartedly supports the coal plant--I was able to convey how much people care about this place. I was able to explain that even if we disagree about this issue, we are still a community. We are still neighbors. We are still a family. Maybe a tad dysfunctional, but still...family.

Since this coal plant proposal went off like a bomb in our community, we have seen a lot of conflict and strife. My hope is this is one small step in mending those fences and uniting.

Thank you for making that happen!

OK, seriously....as if all this wasn't enough celebrating and gratitude for one week, let me just heap on some more good news!

Remember my previous "Psst . . . Your pants are on fire" post about the coal plant lawsuit HERE? Well, guess what? The judge's ruling is in.

And we won!

Not only did the judge deny ODEC and the Town of Dendron's motion to have the case dismissed, but he ruled that the original public hearing (where the coal plant was approved by the town) was null and void!

Two years later, there is some vindication. Vindication for the plaintiffs and the blueberry farmer lawyer. Vindication for all of us who said it was done incorrectly. And vindication for a couple of very special and brave women who sat on that town council and implored the others to not vote because it was wrong and potentially illegal.

I am so grateful for people who stand up for, and do, what's right. Not based on whether or not they will get caught. Not based on whether or not they will be punished. Not based on receiving accolades or reward.

But simply because doing the right thing is important.

Period.

For that I am so grateful. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!