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Every Thursday morning, ladies in our community come together for a breakfast meet at Darrell’s Restaurant in Manteo. It came about as an unintentional circumstance and bloomed over time to be a regular weekly get-together that everyone enjoys.

The food is always delicious, the atmosphere is pretty, coastal and simply Outer Banks. The mounted blue marlin, the old fishing pictures and all the decor celebrates our watermen and our heritage and just being there makes you feel proud and happy. It’s an awesome place to spend an hour or two sitting together, catching up, “lifting up” folks in our towns and villages who have something to celebrate, or need help in some way and/or prayer.

The ladies I have sat with at the Thursday morning breakfast are women of faith, strong faith. And the faith composition is comprised of Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist; and though we might have some differences of opinion on a few topics, patrons at a nearby table would never know. Some at the long table are happily married and have been for years; while others are widows still grieving the loss of their best friend and spouse; some are widows of veterans, some are not and politics? Same thing there, some are Republican, some are Democrat, and some are registered Independent, yet we all sit together, side by side happy to spend time in each other’s company as friends, as neighbors, as believers and as women who love our country and the Lord. The group is not by invitation – everyone is welcome to join in. It’s just one of the many things hometown folks do . . . at least on our Outer Banks!

After leaving a monthly sales meeting in Nags Head, I was happy I could still get back to Manteo in time to join the “breakfast club” because sometimes I have to miss it. It’s always a sweet treat that’s sugar free and everyone would love to have you!

After we had all just celebrated another beautiful Valentine’s Day, it was only natural that I thought of my Billy. I remembered his sweet tenderness, thoughtfulness and care for me in countless ways. And as I watched recent Hallmark movies I reminisced and smiled and then felt the tears roll down my cheek missing his big strong arms around me, his clean masculine smell and kisses that started and ended my every day . . . and I missed him.

So following breakfast, I ran a few errands then attended another memorable Grief Share class that I’ve talked about with y’all before. Again, sitting with awesome people who have lost a spouse or family member share their similar heartache helps. The best part of it is competitive . . . is it the comfortable setting of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church? Is it the extremely helpful (optional) $15 workbook you can buy if you want to? Or is it the videos that we watch where people of all ages express and share heartfelt memories, sadness and the void in their life without that special loved one at their side?

I’ll tell you . . . I love all of it but my favorite aspect of Grief Share? It’s Peggy Snead! She stands at the lectern leading and inspiring the group to adjust to our life now that is so different and yet, even experiencing her own personal “journey,” she continues to organize the 13-week class unselfishly to help others. Peggy is quite the lady. I love her classes and though I’m not always able to attend, I try my best to get there because what we all realize is the very special bond we share.

Her classes are open to everyone and is not a “woman’s group” . . . rather, it is designed to help everyone – men and women and couples too who are grieving. If you’d like to attend, please come! Remember – Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Some folks talk, some never say a word, at times we laugh, sometimes we recap happy times and sometimes we shed a tear or two but in essence, it’s a place of understanding, of comfort and of spiritual support. If you have additional questions, you’re welcome to contact me you can call the church 252-473-2089 and leave a message for Peggy.

Speaking of Thursdays . . . our next Dare County Veterans Advisory Council meeting will be Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 3 p.m. if y’all would like to attend. We’ll be downstairs, Room 168 at the Dare County Justice Center complex (Administrative Building), 954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo, NC 27954.

Whether it’s a weekly breakfast at any of our local restaurants, a Grief Share class or a Veterans Advisory Council meeting – there is a lot of wonderful ways we can reach out to others, enjoy their company, offer our knowledge, ideas or expertise and help bring folks together.

God bless all of our deployed troops and active duty military stateside; bless our veterans for their dedication to our country and keeping it safe and free; bless all the men and women who support them; bless the families who wait for them with empty arms for weeks, months and even years on standby for their safe return  home; bless the medical staff that treat and care for our veterans who have visible and invisible wounds and bless all politicians and law makers who strive to protect our armed forces and whose vote provides them the education, equipment and tools needed to “get the job done” no matter what that “job” may be. If the best interest of America and the safety of our people is their goal, thank God for them every single day.

Until next time . . . be happy, be safe and be proud. We have much to be happy about and to be proud of. Thank you for reading Gig Line and for being true blue lovers of our land. Together we can accomplish so much – pray everybody, pray for everybody. Call me if you’d like, my cell: 252-202-2058, email: giglineheroes@aol.com Even if I haven’t met you, I love you just the same. Stay tuned . . .

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Gig Line: Veterans and spouses please listen up!