![\"Margaret](\"http:\/\/pdxpeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Margaret-Spears-and-a-furry-friend.jpg\")
<\/a>After spending much of her life not too far from the other Portland, in Maine, Margaret Spears decided it was time to head west, where her kids had gone.<\/p>\n
With her children living in Portland, Margaret decided to move from the Maine coast, though she does reminisce when thinking about her home. \u201cMaine has beautiful sandy beaches like Oregon,\u201d she says. \u201cOf course, the water is cold on both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being retired, coming to Portland to live around her kids meant being fully integrated into their lives, and she wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe major thing I do here is help with the children,\u201d she explains. \u201cI live with my one daughter who has three children under twelve, so I spend a lot of time watching and hanging out with the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she speaks, the tone of her voice gives away just how much joy she derives from spending time around her family. It truly means the world to her. Yet, there\u2019s still more room in her heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of my other time is spent at Oregon Humane with the dogs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
You see, Margaret is volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society animal shelter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started there almost seven years ago,\u201d she continues, \u201ceven though I never really liked shelters. Still, it\u2019s different when you get to help the dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret\u2019s passion for helping animals comes from the deep wellspring of compassion within herself. It was so hard throughout the years to see cherished friends go.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an adult with dogs, I find it harder and harder when they come to the end after you\u2019ve had a long relationship with them,\u201d she explains. \u201cI just find it very hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whereas at the Humane Society, \u201cthey take the place of me having my own dog,\u201d she says. \u201cI get to interact with them, but I still know they are going someplace good.\u201d<\/p>\n
If it isn\u2019t apparent by now, Margaret is a compassionate, loving person who cares very much for other living creatures. Still, what does she do for herself?<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to quilt,\u201d she says with a smile in her voice. \u201cIt\u2019s busy and you get to create something that\u2019s helpful, something people can use.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, in the end, what does Margaret think when she puts the two Portland\u2019s side-by-side in her head?<\/p>\n
\u201cPortland, Oregon is a great place,\u201d she says before finishing with a chuckle. \u201cBut I think you want to keep that quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sadly, it\u2019s too late. The secret is out and people are coming to the \u2018keep it weird\u2019 Portland. Still, if they\u2019re people like Margaret Spears, send them our way. As a wonderful PDX Person<\/a>, she enriches the city she and her children call home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n William Bessette<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 PDX People Contributor<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Follow William on: <\/span><\/strong> Facebook<\/u><\/span><\/a>\u00a0, Twitter<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u00a0 Connect with William on:<\/span><\/strong> LinkedIn<\/span><\/u><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>William Bessette is a journalist and freelance writer who has been covering politics, entertainment, culture and travel for over thirteen years. When he\u2019s not profiling Portland-area restaurants and residents, you can find him reporting on national and international travel and eco-tourism through his travel brand, <\/span><\/em><\/strong>Floppy Hat Adventures<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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