Thankful for life
Our family certainly has something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. The lives of our children and grandchildren were spared in a tragic house fire that occurred a week ago Monday.
After having lived elsewhere for several months, our daughter Angie, her husband Matt Ehlers, and their four children — Morgan, 9, Cole, 7, Lane, 4, and Mekenzie, 2 — were preparing to move back into their two-story farmhouse near Courtland.
Most of their possessions such as furniture and appliances were packed into a large trailer. They had spent the day painting, sanding, and cleaning the house.
They moved a few things into the house, such as computer, TV, and some clothes, and planned to move the remainder in the next day.
In fact, they had blankets and pillows and were planning to spend the night there to avoid a motel bill.
However, Matt did not have the right tool for turning on the water system. The kids were dirty, tired, and hungry, so they decided to go to a motel anyway.
It was late afternoon when they left. Not long after, the local fire chief, a resident of the area, drove by and noticed smoke. A farmer harvesting a field nearby also saw it.
By the time firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames and they were unable to check for occupants. There was no vehicle around.
Jerry and I and Matt's parents, Dale and Betty Ehlers, Marion, were notified that the house was on fire and the family's whereabouts was not known.
We were shocked, terrified, and dismayed. Dale advised authorities to check motels in the area, and the family soon was located in a motel in Superior, Neb., about 20 miles away. They were safe.
We breathed a sigh of relief to hear the news. We parents went up the next day to spend some time with them at the home site. It was still smoldering but everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
Of course, as is always the case in a small community, friends and neighbors were offering help.
The family was able to locate another house in the area which was available to rent. The two older children are back in school and Matt has a job, so things are working out well. Their house insurance is providing for their monetary needs.
We still tremble as we think about how easily the fire could have occurred at night with them there in the house and possibly unable to get out in time.
The possessions they lost can be replaced for the most part, but they couldn't have been. As they join us and the rest of the family on Thanksgiving Day, there will be much rejoicing and giving of thanks.
— ROWENA PLETT
