Surviving adversity a reason to celebrate
Last Friday, Dec. 28, marked the eighth anniversary of Coeur d'Alene Police Officer Mike Kralicek being shot in the line of duty with little chance of surviving the catastrophic gunshot wounds. But survive he did, and while life changed for Mike and his wife Carrie in that moment, it's good again.
Friday night several of Mike's friends from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department paid a surprise visit to the Kralicek home. It was a wonderful surprise to have his friends come on that fateful anniversary date to celebrate life and overcoming adversity. Said Carrie, "Life is worth living after injury. I'm thankful for having Mike in my life still, it's not the same but it's still great!"
Mike and Carrie are two of the most inspiring people I know.
On Christmas Eve the Coeur d'Alene Tribe lost an elder whose story-telling bridged the generations and our community lost a friend whose generous heart bridged our cultures. Cliff SiJohn was an old soul in many ways, although 67 doesn't seem elderly in the least.
In future years we'll be telling the story of the story-teller and in that way keep him close. In my mind I'll envision Cliff standing tall and proud while a beautiful herd of mustangs runs free in the hills and valleys of his ancestral homeland.
Gail McGaughey might be heading for some kind of record after this holiday season welcoming several new nutcrackers to her already expansive collection. The total stands at 124. Gail says she's in nutcracker heaven, at least until the end of January when they're all packed away until the holidays roll around again.
Visiting with Amanda Miller she mentioned haling from Upstate New York which made me think that's a pretty good description. Governor Butch Otter is inclined to refer to our part of the state as northern Idaho, while most people who live here call it North Idaho. I'm going to start using the term Upstate Idaho myself.
Happy birthday today to Nicole Barnes and Dion Unruh. Tomorrow Katie Soy, Jeff Block and Erika Umphenour celebrate. On Jan. 4 Idaho's first lady Lori Otter shares a birthday with Darrell Whitesitt, Debbie Ferguson, Norman Tucker, Bert Storlie and Brandon Sutich. Wish a happy birthday on Saturday to Marty Hayes, Jamie Lynn Morgan, Sherri Patton, Phil Eager, Timothy Barrett, Dirk Darrow, Bobbi Doupe, Rick Gunther and Debbie Raeon. Putting on their party hats Sunday is Gary Allen (GA), Colton Peugh, Kris Cederburg, Judi Caceres and Kellie McCracken. Starting the week with birthdays are Katie Marmon on Monday and Mark Honnell (50!), Mark Peterson, Skip Hissong, Rebecca Mort, Donna Trueblood and Sandy Wendell on Tuesday.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2012 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri is on the air Mondays and Wednesdays on 1080 ESPN AM (KVNI). Find her on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com.
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Main Street