Letter to the Editor

Grateful for

the Light

My husband and I are grateful for and humbled by the kindness demonstrated by so many on Monday and Tuesday of this week when an unfortunate, scary incident happened that led to some injuries and one of our dogs being lost for a night. Even though the event was traumatic, we will mainly think of those seemingly endless hours as an affirmation of all the light we are surrounded by in this community.

Friends, relatives, strangers, professionals, students ? past and present ? united, helping us without question, and many dedicated countless hours of their evenings and/or mornings to search for our missing dog. For example, a total stranger who witnessed the event exited his truck, looked after my injured dog, and told me to take his truck to go look for my missing dog. He didn?t know me (or my driving abilities, for that matter) yet gave what he could to help. One entire family not only comforted us and looked for our dog a majority of the night and in the early morning, but also printed up flyers..

Every professional we encountered? dispatchers, police, investigators, doctors, nurses, vets ? were the epitome of professionalism coupled with kindness and compassion for our situation, tolerating my tearful blubbering without blinking an eye.

Other friends and family stuck with us through thick and thin, posting things on Facebook which led to even more support. They searched endlessly, some even walking several miles on the Kewash in the dark of night. I was amazed by the number of people who were out in the early morning to try to help. We received messages and phone calls of support and helpful tips and words of encouragement. One friend suggested appealing to St. Francis; I?m convinced this led to our wonderful neighbor finding our dog.

So, even though we won?t forget the traumatic part of this event, we will always remember and be grateful for the light that surrounded us, provided by so many wonderful Washington residents. Thank you. We are forever grateful.

Lori and Greg Wiley

Washington