Missing Mid
We lost our Mid, our luster, our always smiling goddess of the bean. Good-natured Mid who touched our lives with conversation, pithy lines, goodwill and an always smile and a wave. She is with us no more. Is she really gone? In our hearts, who of us feels her presence? It's her smile we remember as we pass the tiny coffee stand, and it's our memories of her that remind and sustain her visage.
Our Mid - Painted on the clouds, sky bound mistress of heaven's only for Harley rider's gate. She's part of us now, swirling with the wind, falling with spring rains and winter snow. She knows her home and her people, that is us, she'll be watching and pouring sweet songs upon us from on high. When you are still against the breeze and your own wild thoughts - think of Mid and know she's a breath, a thin veiled hand, a touch away. It's our thoughts that take us to her side, silent, invisible, reaching towards places too hard to reach, but touch it we must as we remember her, our morning brew maker, our smiling, caring, hard-working friend who now has a front row view from on high.
I watched the clouds today, oh boy, and in their moving patterns swirling slowly, lumbering overhead, I heard these things and send them via carrier to those who read and feel the place from whence they came. Angels get wings on their way to heaven. Thank you Mid for wasting no time, as usual, beating feet to heaven's Harley door, you remain our first perk champion. Don't get your sister angels hooked on caffeine least we see more thunder clouds this winter. In the meantime, mind the weather and look after all of us as best you can from a much loftier place. You know we love you and always will.
Mid Kreider - Owner and Queen-bee Barista of Coulee City Express drive-up coffee stand in Soap Lake died when a vehicle in the hands of a drunk driver collided with her and her motorcycle on Highway 17 north of Soap Lake on July 19, 2009. Mid is survived by her husband Jeff, daughter Shawna and son-in-law, David Ginter of Wenatchee and two beloved grandsons Preston and Eli.
Not only did Mid remember
Not only did Mid remember what we drank, but she asked how we were, always had a doggie treat for Sadie, and sent us on our way with "Go play like a kid. That's your job today." Mid had a playful sense of humor and a joy for life. She stood up for what she believed in. She was a one-woman Chamber of Commerce booth, promoting Soap Lake every day as she served beverages to visitors and locals. You knew what was going on in the community and the area by reading the posters she had posted on the coffee stand. Mid was truly a caring "people person." I imagine that everybody who drove through can remember their last conversation with Mid. What a tragic loss for her family and for this community. Eileen
Thinking of Mid
More than her coffee, Mid's smile and her enthusiasm for her community and for life was such a great pick-me-up. She was smart, enterprising, and a real worker. She seemed indestructible. What an inspirational person. There is just a great big gaping hole in the heart of Soap Lake that will never fully heal. Burr
Mid's Love for All Creatures
I sit here staring out the window at work trying to get something done, but today, like most days, I read something or I see something that reminds me of my mom; my best friend, and I start to cry. My co-workers have been gracious enough to listen to me, help me and try to comfort me. So far, there is no comfort, just anger and sadness. I get through my days differently now. There's no phone call from mom, no goofy card in the mail reminding me how much I am loved by her, no e-mail asking me to run an errand here or a favor there. My boys (my husband and my two sons) keep me going. Jeff keeps me going. Knowing that my mom loves me keeps me going. Reading wonderful stories and blogs people write about her keep me going. It wasn't until the celebration of my mom's life did I realize just how many people she touched. Even if it was just a free coffee, a treat for your critter (she wouldn't have been offended by any means if someone brought their loved pet to her service), a homemade blanket for your little one or a shoulder to cry on. I believe I am the woman I am today because of my mother, and for that, I am the luckiest daughter in the world. I pray that her smile lives in your heart and her laugh lives in your memories forever.
Missing Mid
I met this free spirit many years ago while I was traveling north to Omak to help take care of my father who was dying from cancer. I come into Soap Lake and I see this cool coffee shop. I pull up to order and this big smile greets me! From that day on we shared a friendship. This started one of many stops for me and my dog Keshia, which by the way always left with a treat! As I was going back and forth we shared many stories. I believe her mother was ill at the time and she also was making trips. We shared many heart to heart conversations. I was also selling biscotti cookies whcih she purchased to sell with her coffee drinks. Time marches on and we would either stop or honk. and there was that waving hand. One time we stopped and showed her Joel's book of poems that he wrote and published. Naturally she thought it was so cool and immediately wanted one which Joel autograped for her. It is called " A View From The Cabin" by Joel Solis. If you see this book, this is where it came from. She just was in awe with it. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago on a trip up to our cabin at Conconully Washington. We came across the highway and I said to Joel, "what in the world happened to Mid and her coffee shop". We go on to our next stop, my favorite root beer and burger place. That is where we heard the horrible news. Of course that gal that was working was very sad to have to be the one to tells us what happened. Our hearts just ached. Then when we rounded the corner and saw the beautiful flowers on the guardrail we both just filled with emotion. Our trips through Soap Lake with never be the same. This horrible tradgey makes us stop and realize just how precious every second of our life is. We will always remember her big smile, waving hand, and the friendship she brought to us. God Bless you all and know others share your saddness. Niki & Joel Solis - Tri-Cities
Straight Shootin' Mid
Loved Mid for the fact that she was a no bull straight shooter who loved this community with fierce passion. You never had to guess what Mid was thinking because she would tell you to your face. It was fun to see her work the local officials when she felt they were not serving the community in the best interest of the people. Mid was a spokesman for the common folk. I must apologize to Linda Gustaveson for bringing Cassie the weiner pup to Mid's celebration of life. She told me that it was tasteless and she was highly offended. Im sorry but Mid loved Cassie and I know she was glad her little friend was there. Mid loved the little four legged creatures of the world. We miss you Mid and I am comforted by your spirit that I feel everyday. I didn't know you very well but you really made an impact on me and my feelings for our wonderful community. There is a wonderful picture of Mid in the liquor store that I encourage you all to come by and see. Come on in and we can share a story about our friend.
Saddeness in Soap Lake
I am not the wordsmith like Kathy, but as I sit here, at a client's, I have been looking back over the last few weeks, still feeling saddeness, and emptiness, over our loss of Mid. I can still remember clearly how I had to reaffirm to my wife, Judy, one of Mid's morning regulars, that it wasn't a dream, she had been hit by a drunk driver, and killed. Mid and Jeff had been regular clients of mine for several years, and it was her smile and laughter which kept me from getting frustrated with her when she would push the limits on getting her info to me, so I could get their income taxes prepared. But I dealt with Mid outside of business, as a director of the Chamber. I was on the receiving end of many donations to the Chamber in support of the different events and our annual banquet and auction. She also was very supportive of our kids and the schools. The void left by her passing will not be an easy one to fill. And as a motorcyclist, she never made fun of my Goldwing, but allowed that I could share the road with Harleys. Even if they couldn't hear me coming. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jeff and the family. Mid, may the chrome be bright, the weather fair, and the road long on your journey with the angels.
My friend Mid
I miss Mid. She was my friend for many years. Not just a coffee friend, but a friend friend, if you know what I mean. A girly girl friend. I remember her when I look in my garden and see the Welcome Heart she gave me for my birthday, when I look at the cool motorcycle mirror she gave us for Christmas and when I wear the Harley T-Shirt she gave me "just because". She will always be in my heart!
Still missing Mid
"Who would be greatest among you, but he(she) who would serve you the most." The majority of my days, these last seven years, started with a 12oz. sugar-free, vanilla latte, and I have to say they were nearly perfect, every time...although it really wasn't about that. It was about someone who consistently cared, someone who always wanted to please, and someone brave enough to make herself vulnerable to each of us...she let us know what was going on in her life and made you feel like she had your back in your's. Funny, but somehow she gave me the impression that I was special...come to find out, I was just one of many...we all felt invested in, nurtured, and taken care of. In one way or another she overfunctioned for us all, and we went back for more and more. Jeese, I miss her, I miss her everyday, and when my thoughts play out the wave of grief again, my prayer always ends with..."watch over her Lord, have mercy on her, keep her safe, and let her know how much we loved her...for loving us.
Tears from Aberdeen
I heard about Mid's passing the day after it happened. It was a sad phone call from Aunt Carol. We both cried. I took time off to travel from Aberdeen to Soap Lake to pay my respects to Mid, her husband and her daughter. I just got the links for this posting that Kathy did. Beautiful Keifer... very classy. I sit here, again, in tears, in disbelief that she's really gone. I cried on my way out of town the weekend of her service. I honked and waived as I passed her coffee stand, as I always have. What a loss. The ONLY way I can make this remotely o.k. in my mind is to think this: For all of the good she did here, on earth, with us, in Soap Lake, for all of those she helped, touched, made laugh, and talked with... for all of the importance her life had here on earth, God must have had a bigger, better, more important life for her in the afterworld. She has to be gone for a reason, for something bigger, better and more important than what she gave us here. She will be missed from many corners of the world. Next time I feel the wind of Soap Lake, I will imagine that it is her laughter, her smile, her heart. Deanna Edinger
Well Said.
Well said tribute to Mid. She was often my last stop before I'd leave Soap Lake after a visit. She always had something positive to say. She donated several times to community meetings and SLRT happenings. She was instrumental in calling people to let them know about meetings and what was going on in the community. She always had a big smile and fun way of saying goodbye. She often tried to give me my coffee for free, but I told her she couldn't stay in business that way and please let me pay. She'd smile and say no it's on me and I'd throw $5 bucks through the window and zip away. I'll miss not seeing her on my way out of town in the future. A Toast to Mid-May your days be filled with love, joy, happiness, fond memories of all your fans and knowing how much we miss you and will meet up with you again. We look forward to you taking us on a Harley Tour of Heaven and an Angel created Tall Mocha.