Sitting in Chicken Chef drinking coffee you see people come in and out and get these little snippets of what it means to live in Thompson. A couple of tables down is a guy in work clothes. Thick, warm ones that have bright orange safety strips and he eats a hearty breakfast because its going to be a cold, long day doing whatever it is he does. Maybe he likes it here in town and maybe he doesn't but he's scratching out a living nonetheless.
Further down are two women, senior citizens, who are laughing quietly the way older women will who know now discretion. You wonder what they're laughing about. Maybe something funny happened at bingo last night or maybe it's something naughtier. You wonder how they came to Thompson and if they became friends here and wonder what they think of this town. They probably have some issues with what it is but have deep-rooted pride regardless as they volunteer and keep their lawns looking neat and tidy.
At another table is a man who walked over from Shoppers without a jacket but is wearing a shirt and tie so you assume he's a manager or something. He walks in and makes a blustery display of showing how cold it is outside by slapping his hands together and going "BRRRR!" and asking people he knows if it's cold enough for them. You wonder what he thinks of this town and he's probably pretty got a few thoughts. It's going downhill, things look stagnant, the mayor should do this and that more. He's entitled to these opinions and he'll tell you so.
At another table is a family, and they happily eat their favourite breakfasts(pancakes) and they laugh and wipe each others sticky faces with napkins dampened with mom's spit. They have built a life here and are making a go of it and while mom and dad know sometimes its not the perfect scenario to raise kids in, they make do because this is their home now. They have made Thompson their nest and they will make it the best little nest they can.
Finally at another table is me. Drinking coffee, people watching. Grateful to be here amongst you people, watching and learning how to live in this town like you do. You inspire me daily and make me thoughtful and I appreciate that. Thank you, Thompson.
Jeff Mcinnes is the founder and moderator of the local Thompson Talk group on Facebook. He can be contacted by e-mail at: jeff.mcinnes@gmail.com
