Keller @ Large: Why On Earth Do We Live Here?

BOSTON (CBS) - Do you believe in the power of prayer?

I do, more than ever, after my fervent prayers for Wednesday's snowstorm to pass us by here in the immediate Boston area were pretty much answered. I really wasn't in the mood for one last round of shoveling, scraping, and driving on slippery roads alongside slipshod drivers.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

But while I'm grateful we dodged the bullet this time, after the endless winter we've been through I find myself asking the question I'm sure many New Englanders ask themselves after another four-month ordeal of cold, dark misery – why on earth do we live here?

For one thing, the health care.

Watching my WBZ-TV colleague Bill Shields bounce around the newsroom in high spirits after successful treatment of a life-threatening bout with lung cancer makes you appreciate the miracles the men and women of our local hospitals perform every day.

And the upcoming Marathon bombing anniversary reminds us of how awesome our emergency medical people are as well.

Another reason we live here: the scenery.

Tuesday night I watched another colleague, meteorologist Eric Fisher, doing a live shot overlooking Chatham harbor that was so gorgeous, you even forgot for a moment about the torturous weather he was down there to report on.

We're also blessed around here with pretty good food and culture. And while I've met nice people all over the country, there's something extra special about New Englanders that you miss when you leave town.

So yes, there are plenty of good reasons why we live here.

Even if January, February and March aren't among them.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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