Open letter of thanks to Don Klein

August 15th 11:34 am | Kathy McLinn

I am certain that BBAHC and its board has provided a hero's farewell for Don Klein, a mental health provider in Dillingham for the last 30 plus years, as I'm sure they have for all the recently released employees having served the community for decades. There must have been so much honor and praise being thrown about at the hospital in recent months- a lot of plaques and parties and speeches to shower the givers in our community with gratitude.

Even so, I still want to publicly thank Don Cline for his years of caregiving in this community on behalf of the countless people that I alone have encountered whose families have been deeply enriched by Don's work. How much sorrow and pain has Don absorbed over the years as he worked tirelessly to heal? How much comfort, healing and growth has occurred just from this one man, one person at a time?

In the last year, I have seen him at so many public gatherings that seek to improve the community, and I have seen him in tears each time, talking about the work that still needs to be done here. I plan to honor Don by remembering his words, and to continue the hard work toward wellness for myself, my family, and community. I wish peace and happiness for him and his family, and I hope he leaves, not carrying our burdens, but forever radiating with the love directed toward him for his lifetime of service.

Kathy McLinn

Kathy McLinn can be reached at bristolbaytimes@alaskanewspapers.com, or by phone at 907-348-2449

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