Sunday, November 22, 2009

ONGOING COVERAGE: FATAL CONFRONTATION BETWEEN SPOKANE POLICE AND OTTO ZEHM

Editorial

Our view: Holiday blessings

Our View: The season gives cause to pause and ponder

December 25, 2006

On this holiday, in this space where readers normally find The Spokesman-Review's editorial viewpoint on events of the day, the staffers who craft those commentaries pause to share these more personal observations.

Ever get the feeling that you've unwrapped a present that didn't belong to you? It's been that way for me lately. Over and over. My late wife was pretty damn special, and now I'm reaping the benefits of her everyday compassion and thoughtfulness.

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Many people have noted how blessed I am, and it's true. But I find myself dwelling on the meaning of the word "blessing." It carries a divine or magical connotation that doesn't quite fit. People can be blessed with athletic ability or a high IQ, but the recipient is, well, just the recipient.

The blessings I'm receiving are the product of the conscious acts of my wife. It's like she planted this amazing garden and didn't get to fully enjoy the harvest. The blessing for my children was that she was their mother. The blessing for me was that she was my wife. All of the wonderful things that have happened since she died are directly related to how she led her life.

I don't write this to upset people's notions of religion and divine master plans. I just think those ideas can sometimes undermine the importance of the choices we make in life.

– Gary Crooks, associate editor

During the Passover Seder, the youngest child present asks an elder what separates that night from other nights. It is an opportunity to pass the faith's tradition to future generations. By the elder answering the questions of the younger, both are affirmed.

As the youngest and most recently arrived member of the S-R Opinion page staff, I am the one with the questions. Branching off of California roots and a Texas trunk, I decided to see if I could flower in Eastern Washington. I don't think I'll regret my decision.

Here, I have the freedom to compose my own questions, and I have fallen among people – relatives, neighbors, bus drivers, co-workers, friends – whose capacity for answers is enviable at worst. As I become versed in the beautiful Lilac City's idiosyncrasies and history, I expect to inherit a tradition that does credit to its elders and (I can only hope) will see improvement in the hands of my generation.

What makes this Christmas different from other years? This year, the Inland Northwest is my home. Before, I was a frequent visitor; now, I belong here. This city has welcomed my questions with answers and a warmth that overcomes the sometimes-overwhelming cold.

Peace on Earth; good will to Spokane. Merry Christmas, neighbors, and thanks.

– Lynn Swanbom, copy editor

and letters coordinator

The best Christmases in our family tend to run together in memory, one sweet blur of Spritz crumbs and rum-pum-pum-pums after another. I hope when I look back, this one will stand out primarily for professional reasons. This season I'm unwrapping a happy change at the newspaper. In the new year, I'll join the fine staff of this paper's editorial board.

After 20 years of work for the features section, I'm excited to turn my attention to writing editorials for this page. My column, which has appeared on the cover of the Today section for the last two and a half years, will migrate with me. Starting in January, it will appear on these pages every other Sunday, alternating with Rebecca Nappi's column.

Back at home, a new cookie press and a fresh balsam from Green Bluff await. It looks like the merry march of tradition will continue this year for my husband, our daughters and me. It's no wonder I feel such a sense of gratitude and anticipation.

– Jamie Tobias Neely, associate editor

We Sunday school teachers and helpers waited in the aisle at St. Aloysius Church. The priest was about to call us and the children to the altar to be blessed before heading out of church to class. It was a dark-night-of-the-soul morning for me, but I hid my adult burdens behind a big smile.

Annelise spied me from the pew. The dark-eyed, blond-haired girl edged her way out of the pew and took my hand. She held it for the next five minutes as we walked to the altar, received the blessing, filed out of the church and into Sunday school across the street.

Annelise, now 5, never said a word to me that morning. She had never held my hand like that before, and she hasn't since. By the time we reached our classroom, my burden felt much lighter. There is a Christmas message that transcends religious beliefs. The children born among us can change the course of history and the trajectory of our adult hearts.

– Rebecca Nappi, associate editor

My son, Seth, and his wife, Stephanie, will visit for Christmas this year. Seth's now 27 and halfway through grueling medical/research studies at the University of Colorado/Denver to become a neurologist. He writes research papers I can't comprehend.

Twenty-two years ago, however, he was a little boy experiencing his first Christmas in Kootenai County, full of doubt about Santa Claus. Doug Clark's son, Ben, who is 13 months older and an emerging rock star, had spilled the beans about Santa.

As an Evangelical Christian, I suppose, I'd opted to pretend – OK, lie – that Santa was real. I've done worse since. Besides, Seth was raised to understand the significance of Christ's first coming and to expect His second advent.

But I digress. As 5-year-old Doubting Seth watched TV one evening during the 1984 Christmas holidays, my wife and I looked out the window, hoping the newspaper report that day was accurate. At the appointed time, Santa and his sleigh appeared magically over our rental home in Post Falls. Seth's eyes widened when he saw it.

"There is a Santa Claus," he shouted. At least there was a Tidyman's helicopter with a lighted sleigh on the side bringing joy and one last Christmas with Santa to a little boy who grew up too soon.

– D.F. Oliveria, associate editor

There is one constant in Eastern Washington and North Idaho: change, unceasing, unrelenting, often unsettling change.

In December 2005, Spokane still was reeling from the protracted Jim West scandal and getting ready for a new mayor. Roger Bragdon was stepping down as city police chief. Also retiring was Spokane County Sheriff Mark Sterk.

Phil Harris was the acknowledged leader of the Spokane County board. Brad Benson was still a state senator. Bob Apple operated a bar, though there was some question about toilet paper in the restrooms.

The Seahawks were driving to a Super Bowl. The Spokane Shock hadn