Here in Biddeford, we are surrounded by beauty that people travel hundreds—or even thousands—of miles to experience.
By TAMMY BELANGER | Gazette Columnist
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day frustrations of life. Bills pile up, work gets stressful, politics become exhausting, and social media often seems to amplify every disagreement and every problem. Before long, it’s easy to forget just how fortunate we are.
Sometimes we simply need to take a step back.
. . .
Here in Biddeford, we are surrounded by beauty that people travel hundreds—or even thousands—of miles to experience. We have miles of stunning coastline right in our backyard.
Whether it’s watching the sunrise over Fortunes Rocks, taking an evening walk along Biddeford Pool, listening to the waves crash at Middle Beach, or enjoying a quiet moment at Rotary Park overlooking the Saco River, we are incredibly fortunate to call this place home.
The beaches aren’t just beautiful in the summer. Each season brings its own magic.
Autumn offers crisp ocean air and colorful foliage meeting the coastline. Winter transforms the shoreline into a peaceful landscape where snow-covered dunes meet the sea. Spring reminds us that renewal is always just around the corner as shorebirds return and wildlife comes alive. Every season gives us another reason to appreciate where we live.
Beyond the beaches, Biddeford has so much to offer. We have thriving local businesses, beautiful trails, a revitalized downtown, incredible restaurants and neighbors who genuinely care about this community. While we may not always agree on every issue facing our city, one thing we can all agree on is that this is a special place.
While we may not always agree
on every issue facing our city,
one thing we can all agree on
is that this is a special place.
That doesn’t mean we should ignore the challenges. There are important conversations to be had about taxes, budgets, development, and the future of our community.
Those discussions matter because we all want Biddeford to succeed. Caring enough to speak up is part of being invested in where we live.
But balance is important.
For every frustrating city meeting or heated online debate, there is a family building sandcastles on the beach. A photographer is capturing a breathtaking sunset. There are children catching their first glimpse of a seal offshore, surfers enjoying an early morning swell, fishermen heading out before dawn and couples taking an evening stroll along the sand.
Those moments remind us why we care so deeply about our community in the first place.
Today, maybe put the phone down for a little while. Take a walk. Watch the tide come in. Listen to the gulls. Feel the ocean breeze. Watch the sun come up over the horizon.
Sometimes the best reminder of what really matters is waiting just a few minutes from our front door.
We are incredibly lucky to call Biddeford home. Let’s never lose sight of that.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Tammy Belanger is a regular columnist for the Biddeford Gazette, covering City Hall and other public policy issues impacting the city.
She is a longtime Biddeford resident, small business owner, photographer and dog lover. “I am a wife and a mother of three adults who were raised here. I care deeply about our community, and the people who live here,” she says
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