Our family sends our deepest thanks to the people of Durango for their support when we suffered the tragic loss of two family members in a car accident (Herald, July 21). We will never forget your kindness.
People offered us rooms to stay in and their cars to drive. People delivered snacks to the hospital waiting room at Mercy Regional hospital where my nephew was being treated, and some brought him gifts. Durango Fire and Rescue and the Flight for Life people also brought gifts to my nephew.
The coroner and the coordinator from the district attorney’s office went above and beyond to help us. People said their churches offered prayers. All of the staff at Mercy Regional is beyond amazing: We thank the doctors, nursing team, pharmacy staff, TLC team, administrators, coordinators, chaplains, orderlies, security, finance department and more for everything they did and said for us. I can’t remember ever meeting so many big-hearted people at one time. We could tell they were taking our situation personally. They baked for us, they paid for the first month of wheelchair rental ... so many things I can’t even list them all.
We also thank those who were involved with the accident itself. It was a horribly hard thing to deal with. We were lucky that several paramedics happened to be right there when it happened. Good Samaritans who helped at the accident also consoled us in person and on the phone, and brought gifts.
The Bayfield RV park and Walmart pharmacy went out of their way to help. Bo Dean’s Towing and Hood Mortuary were wonderful. The Rotary Club called to offer help with lodging when we got to Denver to be with my sister-in-law who was flown to St. Anthony’s hospital the night of the accident.
She was finally discharged just over a week ago and is home now with her son and her mother. They have a great community there too, with much needed support.
I hope everyone who helped us will see this letter and will feel included. There was so much support it was overwhelming and most certainly helped us face the hardest time of our lives.
You have an amazingly strong network of good and loving people there in Durango, as you probably know. You’re very lucky to have such a community. It’s really something special.
Diane Streett
Torrance, Calif.
