melrandychris

Some dates stick out in people's memories. Who can forget where they were when they heard of the challenger exploding? Who can forget the moment they heard about Princess Diana's death or that of JFK Jr's?
October 16th, 2000 is another one of those dates. At around 7:30 in the evening, God was welcoming 3 of his newest angels. It was then that Governor Mel Carnahan, his son Randy and his aid Chris Sifford were killed in a plane crash.
When I turned on the news this morning to that story, I dropped the cup I was holding. It is at those moments that you lose the concept of reality. You hear the words said, but something won't let you believe it. You may wander around as if lost, not sure what to do or think or say.
I worked for the Governors campaign since 1996. The Carnahans are very special people. Every time Jean or Mel came through our office, they always had time to stop and say hello, to ask how I was doing, how my kids were.
And Randy had the law firm upstairs from the campaign office. Most mornings I would see him on his way upstairs.
He always would smile and say "Hello Roberta". That is what I will miss most. He took a trip to Alaska this summer, and before hand, he came down to my office and sat and talked with me about it. He wanted to know what he should make sure and see, and what was worth missing. He even asked me what I missed most about Alaska besides my family. I told him the smoked salmon. When he came back, sure enough he had brought some with him.
The Carnahan's were truely caring people. When they asked you how you were doing, they really wanted to know, it wasn't just a common courtesy with them. They were really intersted in others and in helping out.
I will miss Mel and Randy and Chris.

Angels are out there
singing on the wind,
wrapping up our hearts
when the hurt comes on it.

When we don't know how
we are going to make it through,
There they are, with Creators love
holding us together, like they do.

When the anger hits so hard
and the feeling like life is no more,
They tenderly hold that part
that keeps us from shutting the door.

I know I don't know the "empty"
that I know you now do feel,
But prayers from all I am
are sent with hopes that you'll heal.

Walk outside and look to the sky
feel the breeze brush tears aside,
And think of them flying high
with Angels singing on the wind.

When you see the sunset each night
know Creator has them now, not us,
and even though we'll miss them
He's got them safely folded inside His love.

When the birds sweetly wake you
knowing of your dreams of the night before,
know that they are the ones
that has sent them to your door.

And when you feel you can't go on
When the pain too easily lends,
Listen....there they are
With Angels, singing on the wind.

If You Were Coming In The Fall
by Emily Dickinson

If you were coming in the fall
I'd brush the summer by
With half a smile and half a spurn
As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year
I'd wind the months in balls
And put them into separate drawers
Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed
I'd count them on my hand
Subtracting 'till my fingers dropped
Into Van Diemen's land.

If certain when this life was out
That yours and mine should be
I'd toss life yonder like a rind
And taste eternity.

But now all ignorant of length,
Of times uncertain wing,
It goads me like a golbin bee
That will not state its sting!

I wish I had said the word,
wish I had told you how much
you meant to me,
wish I'd thanked you
for making my life better for knowing you.
Your smile will forever be etched
inside this heart of mine,
The way you'd look in and smile
as you walked by each day
The tone as you said "Hello",
The kindness I saw there.
I know I can't begin to feel
the sadness your family does,
but I know the empty aching I do feel,
I know that in time
it will be replaced by smiles of remembrance,
but right now it is so empty
and hollow,
echoing like a lost wind in a canyon