Thank you for sharing your remarkable journey, Laura. I think you have great courage, and I admire your work so much. I also think it takes courage to be vulnerable enough to talk of your pain. Thank you.
I remember your mom, Laurie. I was Doctor Spevak's office nurse when you were little and remember your mom bringing all 5 of you to see him for well-child checks, or just one or two of you if someone was sick. I remember her as being beautiful - and very busy!. Your reflections on her and your dad are lovely.
I love hearing stories about how the legislature used to work! If you ever want to share an essay about that, I would be happy to publish at Bleeding Heartland.
I am sending this again as I still think it could be a starter for further work to save our soil and our water. This is legislation from 43 years ago so it needs to get modernized!
I am writing you as I have been impressed with your in-depth reporting.
I wanted to tell you of a law we passed in 1982 and signed by the Governor. We called it Norland’s Slough Bill! It passed with little discussion as it was helped by Republican Rep. Del Stromer who was House Speaker at the time and I was a Democrat!! Bi-Partisan for sure. I do not think there was anything negative ever said about the bill.
The bill was a property tax exemption for sloughs, buffer zones for rivers and streams and other non income producing lands, all at the approval of each county Board of Supervisors.
I have lost tract if much progress has been made of it’s usage but I would hope somebody has kept track of such participation as to what counties ever joined up. I wonder if the DNR ever monitored it's usage? My son takes advantage of it in Worth County.
It would seem to me that a politician could make use of the bill and strengthen the participation rate for it. Maybe make it statewide—-give it some state funding , besides the school aid formula to cushion the expense on other paying landholders.
Maybe make it just eligible for river watersheds?
I guess I think it could be a starting point for some real help in the water problems Iowa is having.
Just a thought that keeps me from sleeping nights!!
Ms. Belin---Thank you for sharing your thoughts/feelings about the early loss of your mother and father.
My parents, in the early 1970s and 1980s, also died at young ages--in their 50s---breast cancer, mother; and heart attack, father. I and my brothers and sister miss them very, very much-- every day.
Yes, as the ancient Greeks knew well, life is too short for us all!
And, I hate the "death in life"!
But, I have also found, "the life in life" to be stronger and sacred. I try to "keep that light in my eye", each day, as in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress".
As Heller Keller advised: "Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see a shadow."
Finally, your article includes that following comment: "The Iowa GOP's state party chair likes to mock me as the "trust fund blogger". I would like to address this matter:
Personally, I would not be too concerned about anything, that that "7th generation livestock farmer", Jeff Kaufmann ("GOP state party chair"), said. Indeed, I have seen recent photos of him, in Google; and, apparently, in recent years, he has been "eating too many potatoes", etc.---and not spending enough time in the library, studying "history and government", as any first-rate community college teacher would think to do.
Finally, Ms. Belin, if, in the future, you are, again. subject to such "small-minded" and "stupid" remarks by the "GOP's state party chair"---Mr. Kaufmann---I would be more than happy, as an Iowa Democrat, to offer moral/verbal support, in an effort to educate him, about how a smart, civil, "GOP state party chair" would conduct himself/herself!
Respectfully,
Richard Sherzan
(Still thinking about running for the U.S. Senate in Iowa)
Laura…. thanks for sharing your incredible journey. I was glad to learn more about you as well. I have long admired your dedication and work. Look forward to seeing you soon. Larry Deutch
Thank you always for your writing. This was especially poignant. I’m so so sorry for your losses. I love Anna Quindlan’s quote, “We are defined by our losses.” This piece is a testament to that. ❤️❤️❤️ I am so grateful for your work.
Laura...Respect to you for sharing this story with us. I felt the depth of your feelings for your parents, as well as your children and others in your life. Beautiful tribute to all of them.
I discovered your blog in 2021 while doing research on Iowa wildflowers on Bleeding Heartland and became intrigued with your political reporting and subsequently your reporting on KHOI’s Capitol Week. When writing about politics, you have a calm rationality that is absent from many other sources of political news. Thank you for sharing your personal story. I know it was not easy to write, but it allows your readers to understand and appreciate your depth of experience and how it shapes your perspective and your writing style. Your work is much appreciated.
Thank you so much Laura. Amazing story and journey. I’m only 1 1/2 years out on losing my mother Judy. She actually came to the 2022 OWR for me when I was off sailing. I miss her every day and there is certainly a big fat hole in my life. Stories like yours help with the healing.
I think your mom would be quite proud of you. I know your dad would. I lost my dad at a young age and empathize with your eloquent piece. You’ve had a hard but inspiring journey. I’m so glad that I subscribe to your blog and had access to your honest account of life without a parent. Your story has integrity, a rare quality in these times. I wish you the best, and thank you for writing what must have been a hard and at times painful story..
Thank you for sharing your grief journey and how it affected you over the years. My children lost their Dad 20 years ago this August. Our youngest two were 8 and 10 years old, so their memories of him are fading. But, thanks to their older siblings and many friends, he sometimes comes vividly to life for all of us to enjoy. I'm so sorry for your losses. And I'm so grateful for YOU and the work you do.
Laura, Thank you for sharing the realities and milestones of life without your parents. After our mother died 10 years ago I was told by a friend who is a funetal director, "Your mother's voice will never leave you." In our upside down world it is hard to sense the voice of a deceased parent. That voice may come during ordinary or special times if we just keep that hurt space in our heart and mind open. I will bet that your parents would be filled with joy and pride for what you do for your family and others.
Thank you for sharing your remarkable journey, Laura. I think you have great courage, and I admire your work so much. I also think it takes courage to be vulnerable enough to talk of your pain. Thank you.
I remember your mom, Laurie. I was Doctor Spevak's office nurse when you were little and remember your mom bringing all 5 of you to see him for well-child checks, or just one or two of you if someone was sick. I remember her as being beautiful - and very busy!. Your reflections on her and your dad are lovely.
Connie, I forgot you worked in Dr. Spevak's office! He was a wonderful man.
Indeed he was! I learned so much from him. His competence and compassion for children were unparalleled.
What a beautifully written testimony to you and your parents. They would be so proud of you…
Laura,
I couldn't help but think how great you would have liked to have covered the Legislature in my days 1972-1986.
We were civil and had fun with lots of progress too. I say I left with 100 friends!
Thanks so much for writing your story of grief plus recovery, we can identify with much of it. I like to see you on the Zoom!
I love hearing stories about how the legislature used to work! If you ever want to share an essay about that, I would be happy to publish at Bleeding Heartland.
Dear Laura.
I am sending this again as I still think it could be a starter for further work to save our soil and our water. This is legislation from 43 years ago so it needs to get modernized!
________________________________________________________________________________________
I am writing you as I have been impressed with your in-depth reporting.
I wanted to tell you of a law we passed in 1982 and signed by the Governor. We called it Norland’s Slough Bill! It passed with little discussion as it was helped by Republican Rep. Del Stromer who was House Speaker at the time and I was a Democrat!! Bi-Partisan for sure. I do not think there was anything negative ever said about the bill.
The bill was a property tax exemption for sloughs, buffer zones for rivers and streams and other non income producing lands, all at the approval of each county Board of Supervisors.
I have lost tract if much progress has been made of it’s usage but I would hope somebody has kept track of such participation as to what counties ever joined up. I wonder if the DNR ever monitored it's usage? My son takes advantage of it in Worth County.
It would seem to me that a politician could make use of the bill and strengthen the participation rate for it. Maybe make it statewide—-give it some state funding , besides the school aid formula to cushion the expense on other paying landholders.
Maybe make it just eligible for river watersheds?
I guess I think it could be a starting point for some real help in the water problems Iowa is having.
Just a thought that keeps me from sleeping nights!!
Thanks for listening,
Lowell Norland
Former Iowa legislator from 1972-1986
Now a Ohio resident living in Fairfield, Ohio
LowellNorland@gmail.com
Sorry, I have tried to write but this is all that I can find please delete as quick as you can it is gibberish~!!!!1
I deleted the one comment that got garbled but please feel free to write again to share stories from the legislature!
Ms. Belin---Thank you for sharing your thoughts/feelings about the early loss of your mother and father.
My parents, in the early 1970s and 1980s, also died at young ages--in their 50s---breast cancer, mother; and heart attack, father. I and my brothers and sister miss them very, very much-- every day.
Yes, as the ancient Greeks knew well, life is too short for us all!
And, I hate the "death in life"!
But, I have also found, "the life in life" to be stronger and sacred. I try to "keep that light in my eye", each day, as in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress".
As Heller Keller advised: "Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see a shadow."
Finally, your article includes that following comment: "The Iowa GOP's state party chair likes to mock me as the "trust fund blogger". I would like to address this matter:
Personally, I would not be too concerned about anything, that that "7th generation livestock farmer", Jeff Kaufmann ("GOP state party chair"), said. Indeed, I have seen recent photos of him, in Google; and, apparently, in recent years, he has been "eating too many potatoes", etc.---and not spending enough time in the library, studying "history and government", as any first-rate community college teacher would think to do.
Finally, Ms. Belin, if, in the future, you are, again. subject to such "small-minded" and "stupid" remarks by the "GOP's state party chair"---Mr. Kaufmann---I would be more than happy, as an Iowa Democrat, to offer moral/verbal support, in an effort to educate him, about how a smart, civil, "GOP state party chair" would conduct himself/herself!
Respectfully,
Richard Sherzan
(Still thinking about running for the U.S. Senate in Iowa)
Correction---"As Helen Keller advised:"
RS
Laura…. thanks for sharing your incredible journey. I was glad to learn more about you as well. I have long admired your dedication and work. Look forward to seeing you soon. Larry Deutch
Oh Laura what a wonderful honest essay. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful telling of a moving story, Laura. Thank you.
Thank you always for your writing. This was especially poignant. I’m so so sorry for your losses. I love Anna Quindlan’s quote, “We are defined by our losses.” This piece is a testament to that. ❤️❤️❤️ I am so grateful for your work.
Laura...Respect to you for sharing this story with us. I felt the depth of your feelings for your parents, as well as your children and others in your life. Beautiful tribute to all of them.
I discovered your blog in 2021 while doing research on Iowa wildflowers on Bleeding Heartland and became intrigued with your political reporting and subsequently your reporting on KHOI’s Capitol Week. When writing about politics, you have a calm rationality that is absent from many other sources of political news. Thank you for sharing your personal story. I know it was not easy to write, but it allows your readers to understand and appreciate your depth of experience and how it shapes your perspective and your writing style. Your work is much appreciated.
Thank you so much Laura. Amazing story and journey. I’m only 1 1/2 years out on losing my mother Judy. She actually came to the 2022 OWR for me when I was off sailing. I miss her every day and there is certainly a big fat hole in my life. Stories like yours help with the healing.
Laura,
I think your mom would be quite proud of you. I know your dad would. I lost my dad at a young age and empathize with your eloquent piece. You’ve had a hard but inspiring journey. I’m so glad that I subscribe to your blog and had access to your honest account of life without a parent. Your story has integrity, a rare quality in these times. I wish you the best, and thank you for writing what must have been a hard and at times painful story..
Regards,
Jim
Re
Thank you for sharing your grief journey and how it affected you over the years. My children lost their Dad 20 years ago this August. Our youngest two were 8 and 10 years old, so their memories of him are fading. But, thanks to their older siblings and many friends, he sometimes comes vividly to life for all of us to enjoy. I'm so sorry for your losses. And I'm so grateful for YOU and the work you do.
I am sorry your family also traveled this path but glad to hear there was a strong support network.
Laura, thanks. You remind me how fortunate I have been with a loving extended family for 80 years. Thanks for sharing your life.
Laura, Thank you for sharing the realities and milestones of life without your parents. After our mother died 10 years ago I was told by a friend who is a funetal director, "Your mother's voice will never leave you." In our upside down world it is hard to sense the voice of a deceased parent. That voice may come during ordinary or special times if we just keep that hurt space in our heart and mind open. I will bet that your parents would be filled with joy and pride for what you do for your family and others.