The mighty oak tree lost its battle with age and the elements. It came crashing down, crushing grandma’s house. The lives of grandma and the man fixing the heater were spared by just a few feet. Grandma’s two cats were missing so I grabbed my chain saw and started to cut my way through the debris to see if they were trapped. Then it happened. Friends old and new and even strangers flowed like a river to the fallen giant. They brought their saws and began cutting the tangled branches. People worked to salvage treasured possessions – family photographs, the flag presented to Grandma at her veteran husband’s funeral, a memorial quilt made by a friend and the silk scarf given by her granddaughter as a memento of her trip to China.

The river of love flowed around the giant, the cats were found alive and well, and grandma is residing in our home. We thank you our neighbors and friends for being part of the river of love that flows through our lives. This community is a testament to the Lord’s command to love your neighbor as yourself. We thank the Lord for the lives spared and the blessings that have come from all of you. We are grateful for each and every one who has helped.

Gerry and Daryel Lee Caputo and Pat Lang