Our Friend and Fellow Soldier

Don Harkins and his wife, Ingri, were and are our friends, and fellow soldiers in the wars of government injustices.  I remember Don telling me (more than once) that he believed it was too late for our Idaho Judicial Accountability Initiative (IJAA was to hold judges accountable when they broke the law from the bench and caused harm), yet he actively promoted it from 2000 through 2006 in the IO.  In one campaign  Don, Ingri, myself and friends Vicki and Scott did a 'tour across Idaho' to get the word out about IJAA.  Even when things went wrong with the tour schedule and later a mechanical problem (and attitudes (LOL!), Don's lightheartedness and honest laughter made (for me), the trip a joy.
I will miss my friend, and our sharing news, laughter and sadness where we both agreed (unless God intervened), our nation was on a non-stop downward spiril, and sadly most of the people still didn't care and didn't want to be educated either. 
As I sat yesterday, reading old 'Observers' I commented to my husband, Dale, that for such a little guy (Don was short like me), he filled some mighty-big shoes; and whoever took up the editorial duties of the IO had a huge amount of work ahead.  His presence filled up a room and he was so darn intelligent and yet so simple, honest and real. You didn't have to be a genius to talk to Don; but if you were, he could very well keep up. 
Dale looked at me and said "there was nothing little about Don Harkins, and I will miss him'.  Dale is so right, and anyone who knew Don knows that is true. 
Don loved digging for truth, and I wonder what he is up to now (now that he has all the answers to the "who done its" and other mysteries of this life). I hope he's kicking back, relaxing under a tree, reading a book or having a thought-provoking conversation with Jesus. We will see Don again one day, and in the meantime want to say "Don, we are grateful for the privilege of knowing you and Ingri.  We will keep her and your 'kids' in our prayers.  God blessed us when He  allowed us to know you; it has been an honor to call you our friend."  With love, Rose and Dale