Whew! I don't know about life in your part of the country, but I am so thankful to be finished with February! Normally, I love the month that allows me to celebrate my birthday, Valentine's Day, and the bonus holiday, President's Day. However, my first February in Minot was cold, bitterly cold! For one three-week period in February, we had only one day in which temps were higher than 0. We drove on sheets of ice with windchills reaching -60.
Being a newbie and not wanting to broadcast my wimpiness, I did my best not to complain about the weather. I tried to discuss anything but the weather. I attempted to run countless errands as if the lung-freezing air wasn't affecting me. On the inside, I was dying. I wanted to put on my flannel pj's and cozy socks and hibernate. I was grumpier than normal. I dreaded checking the mail. I started asking myself, "Do we really need milk? We can eat the cereal dry, right?"
And then came some encouragement! A neighbor said, "You know. I was born here and have lived here all my life. I'm done with this weather!" Yes! I'm not alone! Someone who has lived this for many years just validated my feelings.
The weather, and my response to it, pales in comparison to the burdens our kids at the Ranch bravely face. The hurts and traumas they have experienced make doing everyday tasks difficult. We are privileged to come alongside them and say, "Yep, this is really tough! Let me help you!"
As a friend of the Ranch, you also encourage them with your prayers and gifts of support. Thank you for caring about their hurts. Thank you for providing the treatment they need to bravely face each day with confidence and purpose.
Blessings to you!
Anne Compere
Development Officer
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
Learn more about Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch at DakotaRanch.org.
You can also follow the Ranch on Facebook and Twitter.
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Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christian residential treatment and educational center for children and their families. We help the most troubled, complicated, and amazing kids by providing best-in-class psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care, where we look kids in the eye, walk with them, and help them become their best selves.