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.