Friday, December 14, 2012

Christmas absences


By CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

To my dismay, the Wednesday edition of the Express announced the deaths of seven of the valley’s locals. I knew half of them. It’s a sobering thought when you realize these folks are gone. They left their families, friends and neighbors grieving amidst this holiday season. It certainly puts our lives in perspective because it’s so fleeting. One day we are laughing with them, the next we’re attending their memorial. It resonates loudly as it comes at the end of the year when we all sit down to review the past events.

This year, especially, it seems we have lost more of the people whom we interrelated with each week. It makes us realize how precious life is. This holiday season marks a time in which we may honor those who have departed and hold dear our time left here on earth.

The Wood River Valley is aging. Its familiar faces are fading. The sons and daughters are moving out to seek greater economic opportunities. If we cannot draw more people into our beautiful valley, we will soon be a series of ghost towns.

Some of our leaders understand; others turn a blind eye. We know who they are. Inflated egos are closing the gates of the valley, refusing to help market our area and help it expand. Hopefully, these last passings of good men and women can sound a rallying call to act. It’s starting to get lonely up here.

This is a time, I believe, to honor those who have passed on and to realize where we all stand. I wish each and every one of you the happiest of holidays and trust that you will reflect back upon all those wonderful folks we have lost in 2012 and think about what the future might bring.

Nice talking to you.

 




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