Posted 6/13/01 The better lesson in McVeighís death: Sunday Night, by MaryHelen Swanson This past weekend, while trying to enjoy a mini vacation to North Dakota, I could not escape the hottest topic in the country, for with every on-the-hour radio newscast came the words that Timothy McVeigh was preparing to die. How lucky he was able to do this. For many, 168 in particular, it came sudden and unexpected . . .and unwanted. But this man, whose heart and outward appearance was cold and uncaring, was allowed to prepare for it. Is it strange that our country should be so divided on the issue of capital punishment? Probably not. We know by now that the family and friends of the innocent victims of the Oklahoma bombing, for the most part, found little comfort in his death. We know many were not seeking revenge. We are, after all, a civilized people. At least most of us. And yet, who should condemn those who applauded this action out of terrible ache and loss? Certainly understanding the heartache of losing a loved one in such a horrendous manner is difficult without experiencing it personally. Natural instinct would dictate that we avenge the untimely, brutal death of a mate, an innocent child. Living with the loss day in and day out would be difficult. Forgiveness almost impossible. But then, death of loved one is never easy, especially when they are snatched away unexpectedly. I know, thatís how my mom left. And yet every day we send our loved ones off to school, work and play and give little thought that this may be the last time we ever see them alive. Thereís more to this picture than saying this man deserved to die. Thereís a lesson to learn and learn well, something good that we must take away from something bad - love one another unconditionally, all the time. Tell them you love them, show them, make it clear so that if the time ever comes that your husband, your wife, your son or daughter or infant child are wrenched from your life unexpectedly you will be at peace with yourself knowing that they left knowing they were loved. That wonít be easy. This morning when you left the house, were you at odds with your spouse? Did you think - ìIíll make up to him or her later, right now I just want to be upset?î Did you shout harshly at your son as he sped off on his bike because he didnít take out the garbage? Did you have a quarrel with your Mom over a trivial issue and vow to not talk to her for a week? Do you know what can happen in a week? In a day? In an hour? In a minute? How long did it take for the dreadful bomb to destroy the lives of hundreds of people? Not long, thatís the whole issue. Perhaps this man should have been put to death, or perhaps it was barbaric for society in the year 2001. Perhaps, even, there was a better way to make him pay for his violent attack. But, he gone, heís had enough press, TV coverage, radio coverage and talk show coverage now. Letís let it rest. In doing so, however, keep in mind what I have said about making sure your loved ones know they are loved. I think Iíve got some work ahead of me, too. ©Post Review