Filling void left by loss of givers
For everyone who’s moved here in recent years searching for quality of life and a feeling of community ... it occurred to me as I attended funeral services for Jody Hissong last week that she and other givers — doers of the things other people think just happen — won’t be easily replaced.
It was at Jody’s service that I learned of the passing this month of Julie Latina, another giver and doer. And on Tuesday morning as I was on deadline for this column, word of the sudden and unexpected death of Andrew Evenson was making the rounds.
Jody, 79, Julie, 64, and Andrew, 49, each contributed much to the quality of life and feeling of home in our communities through their kindness, compassion and generosity through the years. Their time on earth blessed many.
My suggestion for newcomers is to read the obituaries regularly. When our community loses one of these truly exceptional people, see where they served and where their passion lied and vow to fill the void.
They will never be replaced in the hearts of those who loved them but I’m sure Jody, Julie and Andrew would be most grateful to know that everything they treasured about their community continues on in good hands, especially those hands belonging to the newest among us.
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May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, though except for snowy winter months, we need to always be alert for the two-wheeled vehicles sharing the roadways. It could be a matter of life or death for both motorcyclists and motorists to be aware of their surroundings. Checking blind spots, mirrors and using turn signals are necessary when changing lanes and passing.
My husband has owned and ridden motorcycles for decades. We have a joke, that’s not really a joke, that he needs to ride with the thought that every single motorist is not paying attention, is impaired or distracted. He takes responsibility for riding with caution and never assumes a motorist is paying attention, no matter who has the right-of-way.
Those of us who are driving on four wheels need to pay extra attention now that the weather is warming up and drying out and the motorcycles are coming out of winter storage. Motorcycle safety is a two-way street.
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Happy birthday today to Dee Sasse, Steve Kane, Frank Jackson and Brittney Blaski. Tomorrow Mardel “Tootie” Reynolds (70!), Martin Teall (70!), Linette Freeman, Sue Barnard, Beth Bollinger, Barb Forgacs, Star Hart, Corinna Whiting, Jana Pool, Kristina Lallatin, Caitlin Rielly and Larry Locke take another trip around the sun. On April 29 Steve Wilson, Tanner Mort, Chris Cooper, Stephanie Brodwater, Jeremy Jones, Patty Muhlhauser and Susan O’Neill make a wish. Bailey Jaworski, Michele Jensen, Amy Lyons, Christina Bollman, Keith Ekness, Luke Griffin, Louise Zimmerman and Jai Nelson will party on the last day of April. Celebrating on the first day of May are Marlee Eldridge, Jeri DeLange, Suanne Harris and Diane Duncan. On May 2 Becca Atkinson, John DeLuca, Jan Bryant, Miranda Hamilton, Tre Lewis and Randy Hurt will blow out the candles. On Tuesday Randy Bates, Tracy Flaa, Peter Willits, John Hayes, Robbie Canfield, Brooke Harris and Becky Camarata are putting on their party hats.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.