THE LIST: Let me introduce you to my people

I’ve always said that if I can create things and make the world a little better than how I found it, I’ll be happy. I’m typically drawn to people who are wired that way too.

These people are sometimes those who are able to pick up a musical instrument and teach themselves how to play it. They haven’t ever taken a lesson and maybe can’t read a lick of music, but they can jam with the best of them.

There are folks who can put a colored pencil or paintbrush in their hand and make creating a masterpiece from a blank canvas seem effortless. Incredible!

There are the old souls who would rather still have a flip phone or use a coffee percolator to make coffee rather than the modern day conveniences of a Keurig. They know there’s a satisfaction to be found in the journey of waiting for that red light to illuminate telling you the coffee’s hot.

Some people have a knack for fixing about anything, and I am amazed at those people too. They make identifying and solving a problem look really easy.

I admire those who have goals at a young age and work their butt off to achieve them.

I admire those who can see the best in people, love those closest to them deeply and show it, rather than just saying it.

I am drawn to those who are able to look at a tree leaf, flower petal or dark, angry storm clouds and are able to see the simple, yet intricate qualities of creation in them.

I admire those who hold deep convictions and are willing to stand beside them no matter what other people think or say.

Perhaps by now you’ve caught that I’m writing about someone specific. I’m writing about my brother Luke, who passed away suddenly from injuries in a May 24 one-vehicle accident near our parents’ home in Cass County. He was 33, and of course, we all feel he was taken from this earth far too prematurely.

Luke was simple and probably wouldn’t want me to go to the fuss of writing a column all about him, so I drew you in for awhile before I told you who I was writing about.

We celebrated Luke’s life one week after his death, and the outpouring of support for our family has been overwhelming. I haven’t lived in my hometown of Marne since I moved to college, but I reunited with so many folks I grew up knowing during the weekend of Luke’s funeral. They all care so much and we were truly blessed to grow up in a place like that. I think I can speak for the rest of my family in saying we appreciate all the kindness, support and prayers we have received.

Luke taught welding classes at Southwestern Community College, and we are so proud of what he accomplished there. Administrators, fellow instructors and his students were all in attendance at the funeral. Luke touched a lot of lives, which has been very evident to us.

You can’t prepare for how suddenly something like this happens. The “losing a loved one at a young age club” isn’t a group any of us wanted to be in. We know many others are in it, too.

I don’t have the answers to why “bad things happen to good people,” but I do know that I intend to put one foot in front of the other moving forward trusting God has a plan. While it isn’t easy, that’s what we’re going to try to do.

Luke called me the night of the one-year tornado anniversary event. I was busy working when he called, so I texted him and told him I would call him back. Kilee and I ran to the store a short time later and I talked with Luke for 7 or 8 minutes while I grabbed what we needed. When we hung up, we told each other we love each other, which our family tries to be good about doing. While he wasn’t having a good day and needed someone to listen, I’ll cherish forever the way that conversation ended and how tight we were as brothers.

While it’s extremely cliche to say “hug your loved ones and tell them you love them,” that’s what I take away from this whole experience. I hope that from going through this we are also able to be of comfort to someone else down the road who goes through this. That’s the best case scenario right now.

Luke was the middle child of three. My younger sister and I will take it from here the best we can.

As you can maybe tell, Luke loved nature. We had a list of lessons from geese printed in the funeral program. I feel there’s some good wisdom in this. I want to leave you with it this week.

“A Flock of Lessons” by Harry C. Kennon

Fact: As geese flap their wings, they create an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community get where they are going quicker and easier when they lift each other up along the way.

Fact: If a goose falls out of formation, it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone, so it quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go.

Fact: When the head goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson: It pays to share leadership and take turns doing the hard work.

Fact: Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up the pace.

Lesson: It is important that our honking be encouraging. Otherwise it’s just — well honking.

Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation to follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again.

Lesson: When one of us is down, it’s up to the others to stand by us in our time of trouble.