January 22, 2003

Family and Friends,

As most of you know, I write a column every Monday for The Courier up here in Montgomery County. Since most of you do not read the Courier, the text of the column for 1/27, which I've just completed, is attached - it is an unusual and special one for me.

With Love to All,   Kris

A Rotary Moment

For 1/27/03

Kris Nordstrom McBride

AN OPEN LETTER TO A VERY SPECIAL BOY

Dear Nicholas,

Today is January 27th, and although you are only eight years old, you know this day well. It is the day the Angels took your Pappa to heaven two years ago, when his truck slid across that icy highway in Colorado. I know you miss your Dad, Nicholas, and so I want to share with you some other things about this day; things that will help you see that even in our darkest hours, there is light.

Today is also called "Rotary Founders Day". Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary and he died January 27, 1947. The wonderful things he did, and the many programs that he set in motion are still alive today, helping people all over the world. He believed that if people united under the banner of service to mankind, they could achieve great things. That’s a pretty neat idea, isn’t it?

I’m sure you are wondering what this has to do with you. More than you know, dear child. I had only been in Rotary a few months when the phone call came about your Daddy. The Rotarians brought food to our house, sent us flowers, and cards and letters of support. Miss Cheryl was one of them, and she found the Bagpiper who played the Irish songs at the cemetery for Pappa.

When the services were all over, I wasn’t doing very well; I missed a lot of Rotary meetings. President Wayne stood up for me, even said he’d go to meetings at other clubs and do makeups in my name if necessary, so I could stay in Rotary. These people believed in me, a virtual stranger, because we were united under the banner of Rotary. That is friendship Nick; your Dad was that kind of friend to people too.

Months later, when your Daddy’s friend Joe Ely came to Conroe to play music, it was President Craig who made sure you went back stage so that Joe could finally meet you ,sign your shirt, and take pictures with you. We know Pappa was smiling in heaven that night, don’t we?

The Rotarians put the cool red cars in the 4th of July Parade, and had you and your friends in the convertible. Remember – we won a prize that day for Most Spirited Team; that probably just meant we made the most noise and were acting the craziest, but that’s ok; we had great fun, and again, I know your Daddy was smiling to look down from heaven and see you having such a good time.

As a way to honor Paul Harris, Rotarians have created something called a "Paul Harris Fellow". People become PH Fellows when they make contributions to help Rotary assist people around the world. This is another way The Rotarians have touched our family. You never met the Red Haired Lady, our Mom. When I was your age, she got really sick, with a disease called Polio. She survived, but when she was old, the aftereffects of the disease returned and made her life very tough. Now, Rotarians around the world are united in eradicating Polio. Our family and friends have pledged to help, and they are doing it in honor of your Pappa - today he becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. The medal will be given to you, Nick, because you were his best buddy.

On the day we had The Celebration of your Dad’s life, you took my hand and said to me "Pappa would want you to be happy". You were right, NickNack. The Angels took your Daddy to heaven to join the Celebration there and to share a special day with Paul Harris. On this day this year, The Rotarians will add another extraordinary thing to the lists of reasons to be happy this day. They will rename the big bridge over the lake your Daddy loved so much The Rotary Friendship Bridge. Now, when you and your Mom take the boat and go under the bridge, you’ll be able to smile and know your Daddy is part of Rotary too, and this is a Beautiful Thing.

With Much Love,

Aunt Kris