From the Editor: Let’s Embrace our People

By Tim Miejan 

Cristina: Mer, why do you care what I think?
Meredith: Because you’re my person!
~ “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC

My father-in-law Herb Mielke, a beautiful soul

In early April, after several months of pain from metastatic cancer, my father-in-law Herb Mielke had made peace with God, and now he wanted his people by his side.

Oldest son Cary, driving in rain and hail in Kentucky — on a college visit with his son, a high school senior — turned on a dime upon hearing the news and drove all night to get back to Minnesota. Middle daughter Rachel, living in Madison, had been making the four-hour drive every weekend to support her father in his time of need, and now she sat by his side. Younger son Greg jumped in his beater truck, placed his well-worn Bible next to him, and headed down from Duluth to pray with Dad. Grandson Kyle sat on the carpet next to Grandpa’s feet, holding the hands of a man who shared unconditional love with him for all of his 23 years of life.

And wife, Sherry, who has been his source of love and comfort for 55 years of marriage, touched his outstretched fingers with hers, holding back the tears.

Herb passed away peacefully, leaving his people to mourn their loss and to celebrate his life. He was so fortunate to be surrounded by the ones he loved, to be able to say his farewell to each one of them.

Some don’t have people by their sides. Many die alone, fearful, forgotten.

“Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention…. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.” ~ Rachel Naomi Remen

Hope Avery, a beautiful soul

On Easter weekend I drove down to Northeast Nebraska where my people were gathering to celebrate the arrival of Hope, the 2-week-old daughter of my niece, Lindsey. Swaddled tightly, the newborn lay quietly and looked upward at the many faces who appeared over her, each one making goo-goo sounds and an unnaturally big smile.

My mom, now a great-grandmother for the second time, held Hope with the care of someone who had done this before. She didn’t need to say a word. Her eyes, and those of the babe in her lap, connected and shared timeless truths that passed effortlessly in the light between them.

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Read the article, and find others like it at: http://edgemagazine.net/2012/05/lets-embrace-our-people/