Rock County passes title
and summary of ordinance
Title & Summary of
An Ordinance Enacting a Code of Ordinances for the County of Rock, State of Minnesota, Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain Existing General Ordinances of the County of Rock Dealing with Subjects Embraced in Such Code of Ordinances
1. Title of Ordinance: An Ordinance Enacting a Code of Ordinances for the County of Rock, State of Minnesota, Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain Existing Generals Ordinances of the County of Rock
Dealing with Subjects Embraced in Such Code of Ordinances
2. Summary of Ordinance: The Ordinance provides for the compilation, revision and codification of the ordinances of Rock County into one ordinance in book form under
the following Titles:
Chapter
TITLE 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
10. Rules of Construction; General Penalty
TITLE III: ADMINISTRATION
30. Emergency Management
31. Employee Policies
TITLE V: PUBLIC WORKS
50. Solid Waste Management
TITLE VII: TRAFFIC CODE
[Reserved]
TITLE IX: GENERAL REGULATIONS
90. Right-of-Way Management
TITLE XI: BUSINESS REGULATIONS
110. General Business Licensing; Administration
111. Food and Beverage Establishments
112. Lodging Facilities
113. Tobacco Sales and Use
114. Youth Camps
115. Public Swimming Pools
116. Adult Entertainment
117. Transient Merchants
118. Hemp-Derived Products
TITLE XIII: GENERAL OFFENSES
130. Clandestine Drug Lab Sites
TITLE XV: LAND USAGE
150. Subsurface Sewage Treatment
151. Manufactured Homes Parks; Recreational Camping Areas
152. Riparian Buffers
153. Planning and Zoning
TABLE OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
[Reserved]
PARALLEL REFERENCES
References to Minnesota Statutes
References to Ordinances
INDEX
3. Availability of Ordinance: A complete printed copy of this Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular business hours in the office of the County Administrator located at 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota 56156. This Ordinance was passed by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Rock on the 11th day of July, 2023, and shall become effective seven (7) days after the date of publication or August 1, 2023, whichever is later
/s/: Sherri Thompson
Chair, Rock County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
/s/: Kyle J. Oldre
Rock County Administrator

A passing thunderstorm hurried activities along Thursday night, July 13, for the 61st annual Hot Dog Night. The annual wiener dog race was ended about 7:30 p.m. as light rain fell for a short time along Main Street Luverne. Evening activities were delayed but resumed in cooler temperatures.

The 2023 Rock County Fair kicks off in Luverne on Wednesday, July 26, and continues through Saturday, July 29. 
The annual event continues to grow each year with entertainment, 4-H exhibits, food, education programs, rides, racing, concerts and much more, according to Rock County Ag Society President Lee Sells. 
“We are always trying to offer as much free entertainment as possible to make the fair as fun as it can be for the most people,” he said.
“We have been busy planning events, looking for new ones, and inviting favorites back to this year’s four-day event. As a result, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.”
Admission to the Rock County fair is free. 
See the 2023 Fair Preview special edition in this week’s newspaper for much more information about this year’s fair. 
Grandstand events include Celebrity Donkey Races Wednesday night and tractor pulls on Thursday night.
The Friday night grandstand lineup features the new Ag Olympics and Kiss the Pig followed by the Undercover Band.
The popular enduro races return to the grandstand oval track Saturday night. 
Midway and carnival rides will be open Wednesday and Thursday at 5 p.m., Friday at 3 p.m., and at noon on Saturday. 
Commercial buildings are open from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
The 4-H building is open from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
The Ida Reverts Floral Hall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
“We really encourage people to come down multiple days,” Sells said.
“There is different entertainment and shows throughout the grounds each day so you’ll see something new every time you come.”

Hills resident Jessica Martens was uncertain which of her three interests she wanted to turn into a business — so she chose all three.
Her business, “The Studio on Main St.,” celebrated its grand opening July 12.
Located on Main Street of Hills, Martens’ business features a hair salon and spa, a photography studio, and a place for piano lessons.
“What I realized about my love for all of these is that it’s the creativity that I really enjoy,” she said.
A year ago, the Sioux Falls native moved with her husband, Jason, to be closer to his family in Hills.
They have four children ages 2 to 11.
“What we’ve learned through our journey is that we longed to get back to a small town,” she said.
Martens first began turning her artistic talents into a for-profit business when she began teaching piano lessons at age 16.
After graduating from high school, she used the proceeds from the piano lessons to attend Stewart’s School of Cosmetology.
The two-year degree in cosmetology led her to rent a booth for six years until she added a degree in music in ministry from the University of Sioux Falls.
After two years at USF, she met her husband and the two married in 2016.
They moved to Salem and led worship services for a local church before moving to Hills.
Among her enjoyments over the years has been photography.
She first started taking pictures for herself and gradually added family and friends.
Martens’ business specializes in portrait photography (families, seniors, individuals), business branding and professional headshots.
Her business combines all three creative activities into “your one-stop shop for creative services.”
Martens said her primary focus is the salon, which is open four days a week.
Fridays and weekends are reserved for the natural light photo shoots and piano lessons.
Appointments can be made on her business website, www.thestudioonmainst.com
Martens intends to keep her salon as a one-person operation but has brought in massage therapist Rosa Mitchell, who is also an eyelash technician.
“For now it is just me in the salon,” Martens said. “I want to create a relaxing environment where I can listen to the customer in a quiet, calm atmosphere.”
In the future, she said she plans to expand in her existing building by establishing a community room that can also be used by the public.
Her own plans for the community room involve offering various classes involving creativity.
“What I love about the services I provide is that they allow time and space for genuine communication, relationship building and rejuvenation,” she said.

County Board members and city leaders from around the county will meet Tuesday, July 25, to discuss the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana.
The 7 p.m. meeting will be in the basement of the library in Luverne.
County attorney Jeff Haubrich will lead a discussion about a possible moratorium on sales and use in the county.
The moratorium would be in effect until the state’s newly created Office of Cannabis Management provides more guidance in the selling, processing and growing of marijuana and cannabis-derived products.
County Administrator Kyle Oldre said he’d like the city leaders in Beaver Creek, Hills, Steen, Magnolia, Luverne, Kenneth and Hardwick to agree on several issues involving the legal sale and use of marijuana in the county.
“We’d like to draft one ordinance like we have for tobacco sales and use,” Oldre said.
Under the new state law, residents are limited to where the consumption of cannabis products can take place, primarily at a private residence or yard.
City and county leaders will discuss the definition of public and private locations.
Discussion will also address the licensure to sell products locally.
Legislation requires the county to allow for at least one cannabis retailer for every 12,500 residents.
If a county meets the resident threshold, individual cities within the county will not be required to allow a cannabis business and/or limit the number of additional retailers within the city limits.
On Aug. 1 it is legal for Minnesotans age 21 and older to possess and use recreational marijuana.
Beginning in 2025, sales of recreational marijuana across the state, including Rock County, will become legal.

Euphonium music at Plaza July 20
#Luv1LuvAll will host Matthew Dulas, who plays the euphonium, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at The Plaza on East Main Street. Gourmet popcorn and freshments will be served.
 
Register new students starting July 24
Families can register students who are new to the district starting July 24. Call the elementary office at 507-283-4497, Option 4, and the high school and middle school office at 507-283-4491, Option 5. School open house is Aug. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the elementary and from 4 to 7 p.m. in the middle school-high school.
 
Suicide prevention info online July 25
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Minnesota Chapter online “Introduction to Suicide Prevention” is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Register at https://tslmn-0725.attendease.com.
Learn common risk factors for suicide, how to spot warning signs in others and how to keep community members safe.
The online event is paid for with funds raised through the Luverne Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Contact Angela Nolz, angela.nolz@sanfordhealth.org with questions.
 
Mobile dental clinic in Luverne
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne on Wednesday, July 26, Thursday, July 27, and Thurs. Aug. 17 at ATLAS of Rock County. (Note the location; use Community Room entrance). This clinic provides dental care for adults and children of all ages. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Free summer events in July
Live music on the Plaza Luverne Street Music is celebrating their 10th anniversary and will provide live music on the Plaza on Main at 5:30 Monday, July 24. Participants are asked to bring a chair.
Senior dance Luverne Aquatics & Fitness will host a senior dance class at the Plaza on Main from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, to promote free exercise thru dance class.
Life on the Prairie The Rock County Historical Society will host a hands-on prairie experience for kids from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Fitzer Barn on the Rock County Fairgrounds. The event is free.
Live music on the Plaza Ron and Jane Cote will provide live music at the Plaza on Main from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday, July 27. Enjoy lunch from Wildflower’s Lunch Trailer. Attendees are asked to bring a chair.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Yoga grades 3-5 starts July 24 for four sessions. Fee is $40. Register by July 13 (Community Ed office closed July 14-28).
Missoula Children’s Theatre returns to Luverne on July 31-Aug. 4 for ages Kindergarten (as attended during 22-23 school year) through age 18 to perform in “The Princess and the Pea.” Fee is $35 paid by July 13.
 
Park announces July programs
The Blue Mounds State Park has announced its July programs and events. Contact bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6050 with questions or special requests.
Storytime on the Plains will be from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the bench across from Campground Host. Long before writing and libraries, people have been sharing their culture, history, and values through story telling.  Hear stories that have been shared on the Great Plains for centuries. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Story-lovers of all ages are welcome.
Mammal Mania Nature Cart will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Picnic Area. Bison may be the star of the show, but they are not the only mammal that make their home at the park. All ages welcome!
Magical Monarchs will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Amphitheater. The monarch has become a national icon for pollinators across America. From life cycles to a long migration, explore the world of pollinators through the lens of our state butterfly. Bring a chair as seating is limited.
Wetland Wonders will be from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Picnic Area. Home to animals like great blue herons, painted turtles, and beavers; wetlands are more than just a swamp. Discover the wonders of wetlands through eyes of animals big and small and learn why we as humans need these wonderful places. This program is designed for ages 6-12 years old, but all ages are welcome.
Blue Mounds Birding will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Picnic Area. Learn about popular bird species at the park how to identify birds in the wild. We will hike a short half-mile hike to practice new skills. *Bring sun and insect protection as well as good walking shoes. Bring your binoculars if possible. All ages welcome.
 
Aug. 1 is deadline for new Community Ed classes or updates
Aug. 1 is the deadline to share ideas about new classes for Luverne Community Education. It’s also the deadline for teachers wanting to lead new classes or update information about current classes. Email li.nath@isd2184.net or call 507-283-4724.
The most recent community ed brochure is on the school website, www.isd2184.net. Community Education thrives through the sharing of talents, interests, and information from all members of the community. The new brochure will be available on Sept. 2 in the Luverne Announcer and online on Sept. 5.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
All Day Savenger Hunts challenges library visitors to find various items. Successful hunters can earn a prize. The last hunt takes place July 25.
Story Time in the Park is at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays through July at the following locations.
•July 20, Veterans Memorial Park
•July 27, Hawkinson Park
Traveling Story Time continues in city or county parks in all the communities outside of Luverne in July. 
•Monday, July 24, 10 a.m., Beaver Creek, 10:45 a.m., Hills, 11:30 a.m., Steen.
•Wednesday, July 26, 10 a.m., Magnolia, 10:45 a.m., Kanaranzi.
Plaza Story Time with children’s librarian is at 10 a.m. at the History Center Plaza on Tuesday, July 18.
Arts & Crafts provides an hour of fun for kindergarteners through fifth-graders. The event begins at 3 p.m. each Wednesday through July.
Teens in Action provides a time for children ages 12 to 18 to meet and discuss books, music and movies. Meets each Thursday at 3 p.m. through July.
Books on Tap takes place at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Take 16 in Luverne.
The 50 State Challenge for adults and older teens is currently underway where patrons are encouraged to read a book set in one of each of the 50 states through Jan. 1, 2024.
Summer reading program for youth and adults is currently underway now through Aug. 15. Youth can pick up the “Find Your Voice” reading log to earn prizes for the number of books read. In the adult program, for every five books read, patrons may enter their name to win one of three gift baskets.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration is at 6 p.m.
 
Free summer events in August
Seniors in motion Seniors in Motion is a free mobility and fitness class osted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2.
Furs and Fossils Furs and Fossils is a free “feel and learn” event for kids hosted by the Rock County Historical Society at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.
Free root beer floats and historic downtown tours To celebrate National Root Beer Float Day, Take 16 Brewing and the Luverne Chamber will host
golf cart tours of the historic Luverne downtown at 2 and 4 p.m. and serve root beer floats at the Plaza. Call 507-283-4061 to reserve a seat.
Super Summer Books “Super Summer Books,” a child reading outreach, is hosted by the Rock County Community Library at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 10:30 a.m.Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Yard Games & Fellowship Free fun activities will be available at the Plaza on Main from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug.17, hosted by Rock County Opportunities. Wildflowers Food Truck will be available for lunch.
Music on the Plaza with Bruce Dysthe Bruce Dysthe will sing from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Plaza. Enjoy the great sounds of one of the area’s finest vocalists. Wildflower’s Food Truck will serve from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Crazy Summer Fun for Kids |This event is hosted by Luverne Chamber at the Plaza on Main from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 18. Free lunch will be served for kids. Reservations are requested by Aug. 16. Call the Chamber at 507-283-4061.
Sip & Ride Golf Cart Coffee Tour This event is hosted by Luverne Chamber at the Plaza on Main. Rides depart at 8 and 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, for the Tales of the Graves golf cart tour. Reserve your seat by calling the Chamber at 507-283-4061.
Stick Fitness This is a free exercise class hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21.
 
SAIL classes in Luverne through Sept. 28
New SAIL classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 11 through Sept. 28 at Generations Event Center in Luverne. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E. of SWMN manager Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064 or A.C.E. volunteer Corey Ziegler, 507-920-0587.
 
SAIL classes start in Beaver Creek Aug. 7
New SAIL classes meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 7 through Oct. 25 in the Beaver Creek City Council Meeting Room. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E. of SW MN manager, Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064 or A.C.E. volunteer Nancy Lange, 605-838-5915.
 
Kits available at library
Libraries in the Plum Creek Library System have Storytelling Kits in a wide range of subjects from ABCs to Zoos. Each of the more than 130 kits contains a variety of materials based on the kit’s theme. Some include Wonderbooks, puppets, music CDs and DVDs. Various learning activities can also be found in the kits.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging loved ones to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
STEAM kits are also available checkout. Motion, lights, hydropower, robotics and magnets are among the kits.
 
Food Shelf evening hours
The Rock County Food Shelf is open for an additional evening shift from 5 to 6 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month. Call Mary at 507-227-5548 or Katie at 507-227-3531.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

A few weeks back I spent some time in this column running through the basics of shooting at long-range targets. I am no expert on this subject matter but certainly have gotten bit by the long-range-shooting bug.
What prompted my entry into this discipline was an introduction to a gentleman by the name of Todd VanLangen. Todd is a 25-year veteran of the Army Special Forces unit where he spent 13 years in Iraq and Afghanistan leading hostage rescue missions.
He spent his last five years of service as the lead instructor at the Army’s sniper school. He is an all-American war hero. Today he is the long-range ambassador for Beretta Arms Company. They make all kinds of different guns but have several specialty companies that produce rifles for both the rank-and-file big game hunter as well as for those of us who think hearing the chime of a bullet hitting a steel target at 1100 yards is a very pretty sound.
I met Todd at one of our first Veterans Appreciation Hunts six years ago sponsored by my local Pheasants Forever chapter. He was so impressed with this event he offered to drive all the way from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, back to southwest Minnesota to teach a precision long-range rifle class. This will be the fourth or fifth time he has made good on that commitment.
He is teaching a class in Worthington, Minnesota, on Aug. 4, 5 and 6. The first class is going to be a tactical pistol class. I took the pistol class last year, and it is hard to explain just how beneficial it was. The class will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. The participants of this class will learn all about tactical pistol shooting,  shooting while moving, strong hand versus weak hand shooting, timed pistol plates and a friendly competition pistol tree.
He covers the ins and outs of all kinds of handguns and gear and what has worked the best for him over the years. This class costs $200. The participant will need to forward their class fee to Nobles County Pheasants Forever; PO box 1033; Worthington, MN 56187, in order to hold their spot for this class.
The precision rifle class starts at 10 a.m. Saturday Aug. 5, with a 2-hour classroom segment where the students will get all the ins and outs of shooting ballistics, scopes, range finding, windage calculations and oh so much more. This class is limited to 15 participants, and the class is currently about half full.
You are encouraged to use your own rifle but can utilize one of the instructor’s guns if you don’t have a suitable one. Ammunition will be available for purchase at a reasonable rate. The bottom line is that each and every participant who enrolled last year was consistently hitting the 860-yard target by the end of the very first day on the range.
We had a young man who had purchased a $350 gun/scope combo from his uncle the week before and even with a rudimentary scope was all smiles when he heard the chime of a bullet on steel at ranges far longer than any he had ever attempted before.
Several students dialed in their primary gun and still had time to shoot several of the other guns they brought will the same level of success. One year we had winds in excess of 30 miles per hour, but even so, hits out to our maximum ranges were still very consistent.
Participants can expect to shoot about 250 rounds at the pistol class and approximately 150 rounds during the long-range class. If one chooses to take both classes, there is a $50 discount for doing so. The long-range class requires a $200 deposit to the same Nobles County PO address I listed earlier in the column.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get your feet wet or greatly improve your shooting if you consider yourself an experienced shooter.
We have one participant who took the class last year and enrolled again this year. He told me when he called that just the opportunity to visit with Todd would be worth the fee.
I have a flyer ready to go with more detailed information and will be glad to send it to anyone who would like a little more detail.  Just drop me an email at scottarall@gmail.com and I will get it out to you on the spot.
Class participants will receive a much more detailed communication about addresses and other gear and supplies you will need or might want to bring along about a week before the class.
You don’t have to have any advanced level of proficiency to take part in these opportunities. I certainly learn more each and every time I observe. You either need just a little curiosity or an interest in learning something new. Class size is limited so reach out soon to reserve your spot today.
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com.

A summer cookout costs significantly more than two years ago but slightly less than record highs in 2022. Families now pay $67.73 to host a cookout for 10, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey.
The $67.73 grocery bill is down 3 percent from 2022, but still approximately 14 percent higher than prices were just two years ago.
The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan said farmers aren’t necessarily the winners of these higher prices at the grocery store.
“They’re price takers, not price makers, whose share of the retail food dollar is just 14 percent,” Cryan said.
“Farmers have to pay for fuel, fertilizer and other expenses, which have all gone up in cost.”
The market basket survey shows a year-to-year increase in the cost of hamburger buns, beef and potato salad, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies.
The retail price for a package of eight hamburger buns increased 17 percent to $2.26. Homemade potato salad costs $3.44, up 5 percent from 2022. The cost of two pounds of ground beef rose 4 percent to $11.54.
Several factors influence the increases.
•Drought conditions have increased the cost of feed and reduced the number of available cattle for the summer grilling season, driving up beef prices.
•Higher potato prices can be attributed to poor weather, leading to a drop in production.
•General inflation is driving up the price of processed foods like bread. The exception to this is a package of cookies cost 10 percent less than 2022.
The price of chicken breasts and eggs, which had reached record-high prices in 2022, are both lower. This is good news as the number of avian influenza cases has fallen, which has allowed chicken populations to recover.
Lemonade is 16 percent less expensive, at $3.73, due to a drop in the cost of lemons.
Although historically high, the cost of the cookout breaks down to less than $7 per person. In a global context, Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than citizens do in any other country.
“America still has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, which is due in part to strong farm bill programs,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
Prices for AFBF 2023 summer cookout
2 pounds of ground beef, $11.54 (+4 percent)
2 pounds of chicken breasts, $8.14 (-9 percent)
3 pounds of pork chops, $14.37 (-6 percent)
1 pound of cheese, $3.53 (no change)
1 package of hamburger buns, $2.26 (+17 percent)
2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.44 (+5 percent)
32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.44 (-3 percent)
16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.53 (-4 percent)
13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.90 (-10 percent)
½ gallon of ice cream, $5.29 (+3 percent)
2 pints of strawberries, $4.56 (+3 percent)
2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $3.73 (-16 percent)

For more than a decade I’ve been mad at God.
It seems funny to be mad at someone you’ve never met or really know if he’s even real.
My Christian upbringing, however, says he is there and, thus, he is the one I am directing my anger toward.
My sister died unexpectedly in 2011 and I’ve never forgiven God for taking her away from her family.
We all prayed for a miracle that she would recover and come back to us. Instead, she was taken to heaven, and our lives have been filled with sadness and a sense of loss ever since.
God left me questioning His wisdom.
I’ve repeatedly asked, “Why?”
I’ve received no response.
Or so I thought.
I’ve come to realize God repeatedly attempted to get my attention, but I’ve been too angry to listen.
I’d forgotten he’d answered prayers 12 years ago to keep my 23-year-old niece’s brain cancer at bay so she could lead a full and productive life.
He'd helped her find her life partner, marry, and bring two kids into the world.
Two years ago he let the cancer come back, and on July 5, he took her to heaven.
This time, instead of anger, God left me with a feeling that my niece is fortunate because she’s able to be with my sister in heaven.
They are together now, talking with one another, and laughing.
There’s no reason why I should be angry with God, because he’d been sending me signs all these years.
I started to slowly notice them this week.
I’ve noticed the birds’ merry chirps.
The beautiful sunrises where the sun’s rays kiss my face with their warmth.
The return of hope, where life has beautiful moments along with the bad.
It’s been about which one I’ve chosen to focus on.
My niece noticed these beautiful moments long before I did. Her faith brought her courage to fight cancer these past two years, while I’ve only been angry.
Her belief in God didn’t waiver in her final weeks, because her life was full, despite the loss of her mom, while I’ve chosen to be angry.
As we mourned my niece last week, each of us remembered how she embraced her fate and faced it with courage and a positive attitude.
She died content with what she accomplished, that her cancer fight was over and she just enjoyed the beautiful moments she had left.
We had three weeks to say our goodbyes.
During that time my anger has gradually receded with positive feelings flowing into its place.
I may no longer be as angry at you, God — please thank my niece for the more positive feelings when you see her.