Our Viewpoint: Remember the good

Monday afternoon, I went to the Thompson Falls elementary school to watch the solar eclipse with the students. There was a lot of activity on the playground as students waited for a glimpse of the event. Some waited patiently and some ran around expelling energy until one of the adults advised of an upcoming break in the clouds.

Each time the clouds parted for a matter of seconds to allow a view of the eclipse, the playground would rumble with screams and shouts. It was an amazing experience. The kids were so excited. I was probably more excited than some of them. The older I get, the more I remember to appreciate those small moments.

Mondays are not my favorite day of the week. I usually have a hard time getting out of bed, it's busy at work, most weeks there is some type of meeting to cover in the evening, and I go to bed thinking about all the things I need to get done Tuesday when we are finishing up that week's paper. This Monday, I was so energized by the kids at the elementary school and their excitement for the eclipse. My day ended with a city council meeting that lasted over two hours, but it was productive.

People seem to always remember where they were in relation to negative events in history. Where were you when Kennedy was assassinated? When the Challenger exploded? On 9/11? We need to also remember where we were in relation to positive events. I will always remember where I was for the 2024 solar eclipse, shouting along with a bunch of elementary students, and having a good case of the Mondays.

— Annie Wooden