IF PATIENCE is indeed a virtue, then the northwest has more than enough of it to export to the world.
Described in one dictionary as “the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way,” patience has defined this region for the last decade and more.
Patience that something will replace the woods industry, patience that the news of large scale developments will translate into a job for yourself, your spouse, your next door neighbour, patience that twists and turns in the world economy do not put the region on the endangered species list, patience that large scale economic developments will at least halt a decline in population and provide a reason for young people to stay and make the region their home.
More than a few northwestern residents spent this year wondering if 2011 was going to be the year something would go right in the region.
It’s been a very slow climb out of the regional recession of the past decade and we’re learning that billion dollar decisions are not taken lightly and that assembling the pieces of large scale developments is more complicated than perhaps we all first thought.
So if there is one wish for everyone this season it is that at least one of those attractive packages underneath your Christmas tree contains a reward for all that patience.