Thanks Matthew

I have just come back from my 3rd funeral in 3 months. That's a whole lot of perspective in a short period of time. From each funeral there was a theme. Intentional of not, a theme emerged.I shared with you in a previous post about the first.

This most recent passing was a very dear friends' brother. Matthew was the youngest of 5 children and the only boy. He was killed by an erratic driver in the Crowsnest Pass last Saturday. He was 27.

Matthew's life was not easy by any means. He suffered with chronic pain and migraines from a previous car accident. In spite of that he lived his life in a way as to have no regrets. He loved the people around him whole heartedly. He forgave immediately. Everyone in his life didn't have to guess his feelings because he told them all. Even his young nephews spoke at his funeral because in their words "Uncle Matthew would want me to tell people how I feel." His young nephews told me "We know that uncle Matthew loved us more than anything" WOW. It is unfortunate that it usually takes a tragic event for people to have their "wake up call".

I have been called many things in my life... including lame and cheesy because I have affirmed and told people how I feel about them. I also have lived my life making friends and family my top priority before work, volunteering or any thing else. The bottom line is that I would rather you know how I feel about you now while you are alive then say nice things as you lay in a casket. If that makes me cheesy then so be it.

So to Matthew's family, thanks for raising a son that was such an example to so many. As spoken at the service, his legacy will go on with each person that knew him that outwardly show more love and feeling to those in their lives.

A life taken too soon. Rest in Peace Matthew!

Cool Beans!

So it has happened again... my favorite Red Deer coffee shop was broken into and vandalized over night. This is the 3rd time since opening this summer that Traptow's Cool Beans has been broken into. Small businesses are what make a community unique. Without them we become generic and boring. The spirit of community is evident in our downtown with small businesses like Cool Beans, places like Sunworks and City Centre Stage & The Scott Block theater.

Owning a business is no easy task. I saw a tweet from @reactionmike yesterday that said "an entrepreneur is a self-employed person working 16 hours a day to avoid working 8 hours a day for someone else." So True Mike.

Kevin & Becky and their family work so hard 7 days a week to keep Cool Beans open. I know they are feeling tired and a little let down by this latest vandalism.

So this is a call to action. Tomorrow, Saturday 17.. I want everyone who lives in Central Alberta to send a message to Kevin and Becky. I want you to kick it old school and when you go to Cool Beans tomorrow (yes.. I want you to physically go there and order a coffee and maybe some chocolate root beer cake) and bring along a card or poster or something that tells them that we as a community appreciate them and their contribution to making our downtown unique!

Then I want you to tweet with... I love @Coolbeansbus because... (and give your reason).

We cannot as a community be successful unless everyone in the community feels supported.

Show your love! I will be a Cool Beans at noon to show my love... hope to see you there!!

Beth