The way he was with people was faithfilled, caring, honest, and true. One minute of time with Paul Wellstone gave people deep hope like no one I have ever met. With deep convictions rooted in faith, he served his country and his people. 10 years after the accident that took the life of Paul, Sheila, their daughter and three others, people gathered together. We gathered to celebrate all of these six people that died way too early, for all they accomplished in their years both short and long, and all that they left behind. The stories were meaningful, beautiful, and touching. Ten years later, the shock and sadness of the days following their deaths is still present. Tears still come easily to ones eyes. The joy on Paul's face and his presence project on the screen still make people smile.
A story shared by Mark Wellstone from Marcia Avner: Marcia had gone up to Eveleth to the Wellstone Memorial and was walking around and taking it all in. Another man and his son were there at the memorial as well. The dad was telling his sone about the place and the man who Paul was. The son ask, "Dad, was he a democrat?" His dad replied, "Yes, he was." The son asked, "Dad, are you a democrat?" The man said, "No, son, I am not." That is what Paul was about. I think he would be so sad to see the state of our world today and the distrust we have of each other and lack of respect.
Over 300 people gathered that night in a room to laugh, to cry, to remember, to stand up and keep fighting.
Death’s opportunity for the living is to look at the importance of life, the importance of the people around us.
Recently, my uncle passed away. At the funeral, we heard story after story of lives touched, and memories shared. He may not have been a national public figure like Paul, but his reach into his community touched hundreds and thousands of students lives and people at this church and his family and friends. I wish I had known him better.
The death of someone I was acquainted with happened recently. Roger Greene was a man connected to Gethsemane Episcopal Church, one of the congregations I work with at the DCEH. Roger started the food shelf at the church and was a regular figure on Sunday morning. As a formerly homeless man, he worked diligently to ease the struggle of people experiencing homelessness. May he be at peace.
Each of these people worked for a better society for all of us, through education, through feeding, through policy change. I pray that I can have one ounce of an impact these three people did on the lives of others. Thanks you, Richard, Paul, and Roger for showing me how to live.
Paul Wellstone Article
Paul Wellstone Article
