Dr. Knelson Passes Away

This update is more for Elliott than about Elliott. We learned Friday that the pediatrician back in Morehead City has passed away. A little over a year ago he had fought most of an afternoon to bring Elliott into this world. I wrote a letter to the editor of the Morehead City newspaper this morning, in hopes of securing a lasting reference point for Elliott about Dr. Knelson's role in his life. I am also going to secure it here by copying the letter. I promise to update about Elliott with stories and pictures later this week.

Although we moved away from Carteret County several months ago, we are grateful for the opportunity to keep up with the county’s happenings through the online version of the News-Times. It was with great sadness though that we read Friday’s edition and learned of Dr. Knelson’s passing.

A little over a year ago, Dr. Knelson spent the better part of an afternoon fighting to bring our son into the world. In his word’s, he was born with little more than a heartbeat. His efforts will always be appreciated, but more than that, I will always hear the words he spoke to my wife and I some time after we knew our son was going to be fine.

We thanked him for all he had done and his response was “Don’t thank me, thank him, I’m not good enough to do what I did alone.” We knew Dr. Knelson was a man of great faith, so there was no question who him was. That one response reinforced many things I have learned in my life, and to me, it is equally impacting to be a great teacher and to be someone who adds credibility to what is already known.

I was reminded that through him, we can do anything. I was reminded that being humble is more about celebrating the accomplishments of someone else than refusing credit for yourself. (I heard a pastor say recently that we are all here to brag about God’s accomplishments in our lives). And finally, that through humbleness, we are all ministers.

Our son Elliott will never get to meet Dr. Knelson, but I assure you he will get to know his message well. It will be a message that adds credibility to what our family will teach him each day of his life. There is comfort in knowing that Dr. Knelson will witness that upbringing, as well as that of so many other children blessed to arrive in this world through his hands.