It has been one year since my father, Jim Mitchell, passed away, leaving me to carry our story, our experiences, and our legacy forward. In the 35 years we worked together at McKinley, there were only a handful of High Point Markets where he was not by my side. My staff and I had our jobs- getting product introductions ready, preparing the showroom; and he had his – meeting and greeting “his people” – sales reps, customers, designers. Even though he always got excited for new products, new techniques, new leathers and fabrics, the connections and the people were his reason for showing up every day.
As daunting as it was going through these past weeks without him, my true attention is drawn to my sister, Andi, who we lost 8 years ago. Andi would have celebrated her 62nd birthday on May 27. Andi shared my father’s love for people and connection. Her network of friends spanned from fellow furniture industry people to colleagues in pharma to people in her neighborhood.
Despite Andi’s zest for life and connection, she struggled for 20 years with mental illness. She faced the highs and lows, the hospitalizations, and the uncertainty of mental disease. Yet, she never lost her ability to connect, finding friends in every circumstance. For her, people were more important than any material possessions. The power of people to unknowingly carry us along is not lost here.
After a traumatic brain injury left Andi incapacitated, she spent two years dependent on others. The only silver lining was that her maniac demons subsided, granting her some peace.
During this journey with my sister, Andi, I learned valuable life lessons–
Fear
Gut-wrenching fear.
Fear of Andi’s demons taking over as her Bi-Polar mania turned psychotic.
Fear of how others would view her and our family.
Fear that I or my children might face the same fate.
Fear of my inability to help her.
Courage and Tenacity
Andi was courageous, facing her demons with a strength few possess. Fiercely independent, she only cried for help when she could no longer cope. She fought to maintain her independence against the limitations of her disease. The power of people is personified here.
Faith, Loyalty, and Love
Our Dad was the steadfast support that made Andi’s last years bearable. Both Dad and my sister Beth’s daily visits wrapped her in love and comfort, bringing light and life to her now limited world. Had she not been so physically disabled, I do not think she would have ever allowed us to help her as much as we were able to over her last two years. Had she not been so physically disabled, Andi would never have known how much we loved her or how much it meant to us to be part of her care. The power of people.
Humility
As Andi battled mental disease and brain damage, I learned humility and acceptance. I could not change what was happening to Andi’s body, mind, or spirit – I could only love her as she was. It was difficult to accept that our family could share her journey, but we could not alter it. It was between Andi & God. We had no control.
Hope
I serendipitously met a doctor specializing in Integrative Medicine. When I shared Andi’s story, I expected the usual prognosis of “no hope,” but he said, “There is always hope. You MUST have hope.” His words changed my perspective – there is ALWAYS hope. The power of people.
Andi taught me the depth of my love for her, my love for life itself. She taught me to not give up, to trust those around you when you are combatting those unknown terrors, to maintain hope. Before her illness, I thought that I had a strong faith in God, but I found myself doubting it.
Then came 2020, when COVID forced us all to confront a universal crisis. More lessons.
Fear
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of being around our vulnerable loved ones in assisted living situations, at home, in the car. We talked to people through closed windows and computer screens. We tried to maintain closeness without touching.
Fear of breathing freely. Masks were a common fashion accessory. We wore them around our friends at work, at the grocery store, and at the park. If anyone coughed in our vicinity, we would immediately panic, look down and hold our breath. Alone in our cars, we would catch ourselves smiling to the person in the car next to us at the light, only to realize that we were still wearing a mask, looking ridiculous.
Fear that we will contract this deadly disease and infect others.
Fear of the silence that prolonged isolation brings.
Love and Beauty
Spending time together 24/7 had its benefits. We cherished uninterrupted family meals, movies in pajamas, board games, and shared stories. We reconnected through conversation, laughter, and love.
We came to appreciate the intrinsic beauty not only of others, but also within our home. It was comforting to sit and play cards with our loved ones, to talk to them, to LISTEN to them. The power of people.
Humility and Courage
COVID taught us to look beyond ourselves. We learned to prioritize others over our own comforts, recognizing that life is more complex than our individual experiences. We had to trust one another to navigate this ordeal. The power of people.
And now, here we are again
Recent months have brought a new wave of paralyzing fear -tariffs, deportations, labor concerns, product shortages, and untested policies. These “what ifs” can be debilitating.
We are reminded that we need each other, how important it is for us to reach out and connect with each other, how important it is for us to lead each other forward, support each other. We might have different views, but that is what makes us RICH in spirit – we need those facets to shine like a diamond. We need connection and diversity to thrive. The power of people is tangible and real.
It is time to reflect on lessons learned
As a community, we are resilient and gritty, but these traits are most effective when shared. We spend so much time trying to prove we are worthy, that we forget others are hurting too.
At McKinley, we are makers of beauty, enriching homes with creativity to offer families the respite they need from chaos.
We have faith that God has a plan for us - not one of solitude or despair, but one of collaboration, connection, and support. It takes all of us, in both good and troubled times, to navigate the darkest of days. God’s plan is for us to see Light through the prisms in our lives and each other.
McKinley’s goal is to be here for you, your customers, and your communities. Our founding principles focused on the value of each of our own artisans and each person we are fortunate to serve. Dad continues to shine through. We will support you through joy and despair, lifting each other up and facing uncertainty with you- our friends and companions- with whom we are grateful to be connected. We have faith in God and. in each other to help us through these times. We believe in the power of people to help us accomplish our goals; we believe in the power within ourselves. We choose Joy and Connection with You to create spaces of beauty, where people can gather among family and friends.