“So bloody grateful”: The incredible city we live in

I must admit, I initial struggled for words, a theme, an event to inspire this week’s column, although you could say there are plenty to choose from.

I must admit, I initially struggled for words, a theme, an event to inspire this week's column, although you could say there are plenty to choose from.

I considered writing about the weekend local government elections.

In particular, the members in our community who wanted to vote but couldn't because they were restricted to their homes or decided for health and safety reasons to stay at home, but then couldn't get through to vote on the phone.

In the blur of the past few weeks, I admit, I did not give this issue much consideration.

But I have developed strong personal views on this issue, now, which can wait for some other day.

Then, last night the Prime Minister spoke, in my opinion, with clarity and authenticity and I thought, this is it.

My ears heard him say, and he may have said it before, words to the effect, we are doing the best we can on the best information we can source.

Great, I thought, I will write about an honest reply to all the key board warriors out there bagging every elected politician for doing the best they can in the current environment.

But that wasn't enough either.

Then, I thought, well let's talk about the Toowoomba Chamber's Say Yes to Local, campaign. Or the Chamber Tips releases.

Or the advocacy we have been doing.

Or the work we are doing with officers in local government, state government, TSBE and others on new initiatives to keep it local.

Or even the work my staff are doing going through the endless information and sharing with everyone the best information and advice we receive.

But this is the Chamber's job, it is what we strive to do day after day to support the small business community, so a column like that, just didn't cut it.

Then I ran, into Dan.

Dan runs a coffee shop in the Toowoomba CBD.

He, like many small businesses we advocate for is working through day by day the uncertain times we face.

He is adapting and reinventing, the best he can to keep people in jobs and to run his business. To survive.

But what struck me most, is that he was grateful.

Grateful for his health, grateful for being able to stay open, grateful for the support he is getting from the Toowoomba community.

Just bloody grateful.

We talked about our weekends, self-isolation and the reinvention of party's via zoom and other apps.

Most importantly, we acknowledged the difficulties, stresses and strains faced by business and the struggles and sacrifices of our loved ones.

On reflection, I am grateful. I am grateful for my husband, family, friends and work colleagues.

I am grateful to have an opportunity in these crazy times to work with the chamber board, staff and community generally to support the small business community, the best we can.

I am grateful that I live in a region with such a diverse economy.

I am grateful of the community spirit of the Toowoomba community.

A community, who through my eyes, that looks out for each other and after each other.

Thanks Dan, for reminding me to be grateful, for the smallest of things in these extraordinary times.