Shining On

(Feb. 12, 2026)

Dorinda and Rhys during a 3 Doors Down concert at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Aug. 16, 2023. (Photo by Wayne Smith)

Brad Arnold died Feb. 7 of kidney cancer.

He was the voice of 3 Doors Down, one of our favorite bands — part of the post-alternative sound that helped define the early 2000s.

His death stirred another poignant memory: seeing the band Aug. 16, 2023, at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Dorinda. My grandson, Rhys. And me. A memorable night.

Some of those songs have taken on deeper meaning for me since losing Dorinda to cancer nearly 10 months ago:

• Here Without You

• (Love Me) When I’m Gone

• It’s Not My Time

Arnold’s passing came just three days after World Cancer Day on Feb. 4 — a day that gave me a moment to pause, a moment to tear up, and a moment for Dorinda to show me her guiding light, once again.

I was running a quick errand to the post office on the afternoon of Feb. 4. As I prepared to leave the parking lot, I heard a radio host on SiriusXM’s Classic Rewind talking about World Cancer Day. Kristine Stone spoke about how each of us has been affected by cancer — either through a loved one or through our own fight with the disease.

Her message wasn’t about statistics. It was about people. About thinking beyond ourselves.

The emotions hit. I pulled back into my parking spot and sat there for a few minutes. It felt like happenstance — a random errand, just getting back to my car and starting it up.

Or maybe it was more than that.

After a few minutes, I knew I had to get moving toward a 2 p.m. appointment. I really didn’t feel like moving at all.

Then came Dorinda’s light.

A lighthearted, humorous song came on — one I’ll touch on in my Feb. 13 column.  It was a Georgia Satellites song. It made me laugh. And instantly, I could see my Bear’s smile in that light.

She was telling me to get on with my day. That everything was OK. To keep walking. To not give up.

That was Dorinda. Always caring.

She lived Luke 6:31 better than any sermon I ever heard from a church pew. Just care.

And in today’s world? She was almost too good for it.

I did go on with my day. And as the sun set on World Cancer Day, I thought of a card Dorinda once sent to a longtime friend who was fighting cancer. After writing a few simple, caring words, she ended it this way:

“Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Of course, there are others like Dorinda who care. Really care. Bless them, especially four or five friends who check on me regularly, for being a light in a dark world.

I have needed them this past week. The past few days have been more of a struggle than usual — emotionally and physically. And when I don’t think I can make it through, Dorinda’s light comes shining. It did again yesterday, accompanied by a stunning sunset at Pensacola Beach.

Brad Arnold’s image is captured on a video screen during the August 2023 concert at The Wharf. (Photo by Wayne Smith)

Brad Arnold was a light to millions — through his voice, his songs, his fight.

Reflecting back on last week’s World Cancer Day and the death of Arnold that followed, I know this for certain:

I was blessed to have Dorinda’s daily light in my life for 43 years.

And somehow — it still shines.

Sunset, Pensacola Beach, Feb. 11. (Photo by Wayne Smith)