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Although the celebrated U.S. Sen. John McCain’s physical presence no longer graces this current plane of existence, it is my sincere hope that the rest of us will stop — dead in our tracks — right now, today or at some point during this next and take stock. Take stock of what we, individually, say and do each day; take stock of what we applaud or curse what others say or do; take stock of what we think or say is “right” and what is “not right.”

John McCain has left an immense legacy of how a mortal — who experienced and survived more than most of us could possibly imagine — could emerge from that trauma and live a life on the public stage full of courage, forthrightness, fair play, caring, love, humor, and respect for his fellow man.

If only each of us could stand just a bit taller, feel just a bit stronger, show just a bit more courage than we did yesterday. If only each of us could think of leading our lives so that, when we move off to our final resting places, we can be assured people will think and say even an nth of what has been said out Sen. McCain. If only …

MAUREEN GRAHAM

Priest River