Shining Lights of Everyday People

“Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love.”—Mother Teresa

By Joanie Allbee

At first glimpse, their hearts entwined and they fell in love. Ed and Linda Helein’s love story started with a glance and now seasons forward, passing a Golden Wedding Anniversary, and onward to 57-plus years till death do they part. Ed met Linda in 1967, at the Italian American Club in Everett. Both were smitten at first sight.

On April 20, 1969, they married and honeymooned at the Poconos resort. The Heleins have four children, 10 grandchildren and a great-grand-baby arriving soon. The Heleins taught prenuptial classes at St. Malachy’s in Burlington for a decade.

They said in unison that “the most important keys in a marriage is communication and keeping no secrets from each other.”

Ed and Linda lead by example. They have an openness between them and are constantly sending nonverbal cues of welcomeness to each other. This tangible love between them flows out in many directions when they think no one is looking; flashes of admiration between them that are like an ebb and flow of the sea.

The quiet way Ed looks at Linda, the smile she gives Ed when he’s talking or she’s talking about him. These are all hidden nuances that speak volumes of a love and of cherishing one another. A love that’s proven in trust and here to stay. Through time they have built a rapport of peaceful, easy feelings and comfort with one another.

Linda believes “Treat others the way you would want to be treated.” And she carries out these words.

When asked “What are you two doing for Valentine’s Day?” Ed instantly piped out, “Every day is Valentine’s Day with her. I love her.”

“I loved him from the first glance and I love him now,” Linda chimed in.

The couple expressed how it was indeed love at first sight as they talked. They basked in each other’s glow. They love listening to “If Tomorrow Never Comes “by Garth Brooks. It is a love song to each other and a beautiful sentimental song for your loved one on Valentine’s Day, too — although for Ed and Linda it is more than their song. It’s how they live their life towards one another every day.

Linda and Ed are Shining Lights in our community. They do many quiet daily deeds, from stopping to pick up a rain-soaked friend walking back from the store to being such a good neighbor that neighbors hung a plaque on their door voting them “Best Next-Door Neighbor.”

Keep shining brightly. Thank you for all you do.