Remembering the Past: Embracing the Future

My title today reflects the kind of week it's been.  Several dimensions of my life's influences have been peeled away with the loss of folks I've known.  

At the same time, the power of the future, as evidenced by others I know drives me forward but not without reflection.

She was a Pearl and a Love:  This morning I saw Pearl Irwin's photo on the back page of the Daily Bee, along with Dorothy Johnson and Ralph Peterson.  Three obituaries appeared on that page, along with some memories.  

Dorothy went to our St. Joseph's Catholic Church and probably never missed Mass during the time I was growing up and attending.  And, she had all those boys. I always thought of Dorothy as that attractive lady who lived in one of the first fancy houses in Sandpoint.

The architecture of that house is dated these days, but to me, its modern style at the time represented a family who was doing well in the mind of this country hick.  

Along with her attractive looks and Pleasantville-style life (all my impressions), Dorothy was a hoot.  

I always enjoyed visiting with her whenever I did my Courthouse rounds as a reporter for different publications. 

Meanwhile, I was working for one of those publications when I first met Ralph Peterson. I also taught his daughter Sheri.  Ralph worked in the print shop in the back of the Sandpoint News Bulletin, along with Blaine "Doc" Sisson. 

Ralph was always nice.  I picture him with his glasses, bald head and always a T-shirt, it seems.  Later, he delivered the Nickel's Worth.  I'd see Ralph when he was carrying bundles of the weekly advertiser in each arm, headed for Yoke's.  We do our catching up.

His buddy Blaine "Doc" assumed the duty when Ralph retired, and, I must say, I never dreamed Ralph was that old.  He lived 100 years and two days. 

And, speaking of local papers, a couple of days ago Steve Fenton's picture and obituary appeared in the paper.  Just over half of Ralph's age, Steve was 52.  He lived most of his adult life dealing with schizophrenia.

As his teacher for three years, I must say it was sad throughout his adult life not to see Steve at the level I had witnessed during his high school years.  

In those days, he was a focused, talented and brilliant young man who spent  hours, pondering ideas and putting them into action.  He served as Monticola editor his senior year, and my respect for him was undying.

Later, Steve started a newspaper here in the area, called The Pend Oreille Tourister.  Its purpose was to showcase the assets of this beautiful area and how to partake in them.  Both Bill and I wrote columns for Steve's newspaper. 

Somewhere, in my boxes, I still have some copies of those papers, which truly reflected Steve's abilities and his constant striving for perfection.  

I'll always remember Steve in his "forever young" years. 

I knew Ruth Hoekema also.  She died earlier this week.  Two of her children were my students, and I developed a particular fondness for Nadine---also a Cancer and also a journalist.

And, there was Ruth's husband:  we discovered years ago that we share the same birthday.  I don't even know his first name----just Mr. Hoekema, but you'd think we were the best of friends whenever we'd run into each other at birthday time.

A few days ago I learned that Bernie Knapp had died.  He's from Coeur d'Alene, and the North Idaho College crowd would know him as the former vocational director at the college.

Bernie hired me way back in the 1980s to teach a night class for adults---general English skills.  I'll never forget how nervous I was before the first night, until I learned there were people in the class who had not gone to school since the eighth grade.

Forget the nerves and think of their apprehension.  It turned out to be a great group.  We had a lot of fun, and I think some even felt like they learned something.

Bernie remained my friend even though I taught that class only one year because of a schedule, much too chaotic---as a mother and teacher. 

Later, Bernie and my dear friend Ann married.  Ann had worked at Sandpoint High School as a library aid.  During that time, she helped me immensely by typing up my grammar exercises.  

Ann was a perfectionist, so I really appreciated her assistance, and over the years I've greatly appreciated her friendship and support.  Ann retired a while back after working in the Lake Pend Oreille School District office with all things dealing with reading.  

Now, back to the Pearl and the Love. She died this week too, at 94.  Pearl Love Irwin was a plain-spoken but elegant horsewoman.  In my growing up years and young adulthood, Pearl represented the epitome of equestrians.

She was a beautiful rider of 5-gaited Saddlebreds.  Pearl's silver saddles and gorgeous parade outfits were legendary around North Idaho and Eastern Washington in parades and horse shows.

Her sister Ruth was a well-known and respected horse-show judge and trainer.  The Love sisters grew up in Colfax but made their way north.

I traveled  and even bunked in the same travel trailer as Pearl when we accompanied Gene and Etta Balch to horse shows.  One of my mother's life highlights was the trip she, Etta and Pearl took to Albuquerque years ago.

Pearl rode the Balches' Arabian mare Lisa to the Top Ten in English pleasure at the Arabian Nationals that year.  This was big time for anyone from this area in those years.

Though a perfectionist at everything she did, Pearl remained a humble, "aw gosh" type of gal.  And, she was funny.  It's amazing Etta didn't come and scold us some of those nights when we giggled ourselves to sleep in that trailer. 

I'll miss Pearl, and I'm sure every horselover who knew her will too.

So, it's been a week marked with sadness, with parts of the living tapestry of my life turning to memory----all good. 

The week has been upbeat, though.  I attended the Girl Scout Leadership luncheon yesterday.  Between the adults speaking of their Girl Scout memories and the young ladies now involved in the organization, I was moved.

Several of Sandpoint's leaders were there and totally impressed with what the future holds, thanks to some young scouts who charmed the heck out of us all with their amazing speeches.

Later, I worked on my column for next month.  I may have mentioned before that it will feature Chamber CEO Kate McAlister.  One cannot help but be moved by her life story and refusal to let some rather sad personal situations get in the way of making a positive and fun difference in the people around her.

I have a feeling this little spitfire is gonna be good for Sandpoint, especially because her focus is the future.

And, finally, when I think of my former English student, Sgt. Brandon Adam,  and what he represents about personal courage and determination, I want to slap myself for complaining about the minor obstructions that sometimes disorder my day.

Again, for those who don't regularly read this blog, Brandon lost his lower legs in 2007 due to an explosion while serving in Iraq. He is competing in this weekend's Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo.

Brandon wrote me a short note last night about his upcoming weekend, so I'll end with his words and with the thought that we deal with the emotions of loss and optimism every day:  the key is appreciating what people bring to our lives and honoring them.

From Brandon:  I start qualifying on Saturday morning. I have to make it through that first.
 

Sunday starting at 3 p.m. Mountain Time (2 p.m. PST) is the semi start. The final will be right after that.
 

Saturday isn't televised. Sunday is on ESPN. My event is called Mono X.
I think I should do well if my equipment doesn't fail.  That's really the only thing I'm worried about.