Seven years ago, Minnesota lost one of it's Senators and his wife. We also lost a father, a grandfather, a friend, a teacher, a community activist, a believer and a visionary. It seems so much shorter and so much longer since this lost. Camp Wellstone continues to support young people, old people, people who had to learn that it is THEIR right to run for office, to advocate for change to be the change to believe. Graduates are everywhere, I don't know how many states have Camp Wellstone grads, but it is alot. Here in MN there are still Wellstone bumper stickers on cars, and the newer "What would Paul do?" stickers as well. We have schools, community centers and initiatives named after Paul and Sheila. Seven years, it is a long time to be with the loss of your Dad, your Mom, and also your sister. My heart opens and sends forth light and love to the Wellstone sons, and the entire family. I am feeling deep appreciation for the beliefs that Paul and his family held and do hold today. I am glad that he was a firebrand progressive, I wish we still had his voice, still had his heart, still had his fight today. I also know that we do, in so many people whose lives were and are touched each day. I haven't gone to the cemetery today, maybe later this afternoon - it is a fine resting place - you can see the lake, you can feel the expansiveness of remembering of honoring, the rock that marks their grave is big and simple and holds lots of tears, lots of talks, lots of remembering, and lots of future action. It is gray and quiet and still today - there was rain earlier in the day, just like seven years ago. Today there is no shock, no disbelief, but the heartbreak still remains. God Bless Paul and Sheila.
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