Thank you for saving me

June 21, 2013

by Mike Weland

I apologize to the readers of newsbf.com for the recent dearth of coverage. I'm trying to fight, but I'm learning that what I think I should be able to do because it was once so easy isn't what I can do now.

I have news waiting to be written and published; none, I hope too timely or dire. I've tried to get out news of importance in time, but I'm not so sure that I haven't overlooked something.

Nothing is easy anymore, but I still think it should be. I went out and shot pictures Saturday and edited them.

On Sunday, I took a day off to tend my garden and mow grass ... it felt so good I spent five hours on the lawn mower, cutting all the grass I could reach. I didn't know how tired I was until I tried to step off and come in, and had to ask for help.

I could barely get out of bed, and I did little on Monday.

On Tuesday, I drove to Coeur d'Alene to attend a class on how to be a school board trustee ... the furthest I've driven by myself since I had the stroke last year. I made it, and attended three hours of a very good five hour class, but realized I wouldn't make the rest if I wanted to make it home safely. I left two hours early.

I made it home, but was so wiped out I couldn't rest ... too tired too sleep.

I heard the flood warning at 4:15 a.m., but I just couldn't drag myself up to get the word out until 6:15 a.m.

I got minimal word out and fell back in bed, too tired to post the rest of the news I'd been provided in expectation that I'd live up to the promise of this site.

I've had people say how great it is to be able to read the news on this site, to see me out taking pictures on occasion, still pushing and working.

I am grateful. But I don't see it as work ... it's a privilege. To me, there can be no greater honor than to think that I may be ranked among the good people of this county as a good and concerned neighbor.

I had a bit of a setback last year. When I feared I would have nothing left to give, you gave me the chance and the reason not to quit or give up, but to figure out how I could best contribute despite my sudden limitations.

You kept me alive, and I am grateful.