Dear Rockford, I appreciate you.

Too often in life, we don’t stop to say out loud that we are thankful for something. We forget the importance of telling people in our world that we appreciate them. Well, I am stopping and taking a moment to do just that. Rockford, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you!

I appreciate the entertainment you offer. I hear the sounds of the stage hands unloading trucks to set up the stage for the monster truck show at the BMO Harris Bank Center. I hear the sounds of the musical instruments as they tune up and practice in preparation for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s next concert. I hear the laughter of the audience as the comedian keeps them rolling in the aisles during a show at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. I hear the boom of the fireworks displays that take place all over the city on the Fourth of July. I hear the clapping from the stands for the Rockford Rivets as they play another outstanding baseball game in their hometown. I hear your entertainment and I appreciate it. I appreciate that Rockford offers so many opportunities for residents to get out and enjoy the town with one another. I appreciate you.

I appreciate your first responders. I hear the sounds of your sirens speeding past on the way to offer selfless help to a member of your community. I hear the paramedic on the way to help the man who fell when building his kids a treehouse. I hear the police officer rushing to assist the young driver who just had an accident. I hear the firetrucks speeding towards a home engulfed in flames to rescue the people trapped inside. I hear your first responders, and I appreciate each and every one of them.

I appreciate the diverse voices of your community: the ones who go forth boldly and bravely to stand for what is right and what is good. From the voices raising awareness about how our city can improve to the voices who help find productive and effective solutions to problems. From the voices of wise elders to the bright ideas of children. From the voices in the depths of despair to the voices of those who have risen into the light. Your educators, your leaders, your innovators, your cheerleaders, your artists, your builders, your workers, your citizens, your people. Rockford, I appreciate your voices. I hear you.

I appreciate your workers. Not from the standpoint of a workers’ compensation law firm. No, I appreciate your workers for all that they have done and built and continue to do for this great city. I hear the brainstorming that went into the innovations that were born in Rockford. I hear the sounds of the trucks as they move goods throughout the city. I hear the whistle of your trains as you carry our goods to other places around the globe. I hear the pounding of the hammers building the city up. I hear the sound of the alarm clocks that tell the workers when it’s time to go to work, and more importantly, when it is time to head home to their families after a long shift. I hear the sighs of exhaustion that come with such hard work. But I also hear the excited voices talking about the impact that their hands have on our community. Rockford, I hear your workers and I appreciate them.

Telling those in your life that you appreciate them is so important. Expressing appreciation and thankfulness doesn’t just benefit the person you are thankful for. Being thankful for the blessings you enjoy in life, even the small things, will help increase your joy as well. Rockford, IL gives us all so much to be thankful for. There are places on earth where life is much harder and where people don’t get the rights and freedoms that we enjoy. I truly am thankful to call Rockford, IL my home. Rockford, I appreciate you!