To the editor:

Twelve years later, and wasn’t it just yesterday when the family, friends, community of Fort Dodge were in a state of shock, disbelief and fear?

Today I am grateful.

1. I am grateful for my family, Gary, Chad and Holly’s son, extended family and friends, who have always been there, through it all.

2. I am grateful for the Fire Department that risked their lives going into a home on fire, which was supposed to explode with all the evidence in it.

3. I am grateful for the first responders, ER nurses and doctors who listened to a young woman’s horror of what happened, while attending to her critical needs.

4. I am grateful for the Fort Dodge Police, DCI and other investigators who worked endlessly to get answers to a most difficult situation.

5. I am grateful for the attorneys, the late Hon. Judge Good, and others who worked to make sure the legal system worked for the victim of the case.

6. I am grateful for the laws of Iowa being upheld so that a rapist, arsonist, and murderer, will not be released into anyone’s community. Both families lost so much by someone who chose to destroy.

7. I am grateful for my personal church family that went above and beyond in my family’s needs, but also represented the family to the public near and far.

8. I am grateful for my community of Fort Dodge, who were all impacted with wanting to do something, and did. Holly’s son has a trust fund set up from the many donations and events. The community helped bury our beloved child through the Applebee’s fundraiser.

9. I am grateful for the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center that provided so much to the family and extended friends. And to the group that no one wants to join, but you are so grateful for it, the Homicide and Other Violent Crimes support group.

10. I am grateful for the local media coverage who has presented the facts in this case, even though I’d rather see the story on a back page!

11. I am grateful for receiving the gift of salvation through the blood, death, and resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ. He has forgiven me of my sins past, my sins today, and, yes, my sins of tomorrow. You may wish to quote the Old Testament, eye for eye, etc. I say read the New Testament, about Love, Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace. If God can forgive my sins, through his only son Jesus Christ, then I am to forgive. The person is still held accountable for their actions, yet you no longer have Hate, Anger, or Bitterness.

In catching a portion of the late Sen. McCain’s funeral, I heard former Vice President Biden saying something like, “During a major loss in your life, overwhelming tears come automatic, then after a while it might be months, or years, you will notice a smile comes before the tears.” This is so true.

So there is no recovery, but hold on to the smile, and for this I am grateful.

And I am most grateful for the Gift of Holly in my life.

Sincerely,

Anita Michael, Holly’s mom