Editor, Times-Union: On April 23, 1997, I discovered I had the cancer, Hodgkins disease. The next day we found it to be widespread, at least into the third of four stages. As a Christian I knew the Lord was in control of every situation, but as a wife and mother of five young children, I was concerned for my family. How would I ever keep up the seemingly hundred jobs a mom routinely does? Additionally, my husband and I had to make many decisions quickly. We prayerfully learned about my cancer, best treatments available, kinds of treatments, etc. Yet as we gathered information and made choices, I prayed mostly for my family. I did not realize at the time how little faith I really had, nor how much of a blessing it is to live here in Warsaw. How precious to watch the Lord answer prayer. Often he has used you, the people of this fine community, to do it.
From the first day, the Lord poured his blessings on us. Friends and family began coming to our door and calling. The comfort those prayers, hugs and tears brought is beyond words. Within 24 hours friends organized meals and child care for six months! Others pitched in by running errands, scrubbing, cleaning and doing yard work. Cards, notes, food and meal gift certificates have flooded our mailbox. In public people I barely know have walked up to me and loved on me. When some of you learned that I could make it to few garage sales this summer, you ministered to our children with clothing. There have been numerous donations and benefits to help us. Several area businesses, schools and friends have given their time, money and effort to make them a success. Many who helped us did not even know us, just reaching out to our family because the Lord laid it on their hearts to touch us. At one of these fund-raisers, a beautiful glass angel was given to me. The gentleman who created it had never met me; he only gave of himself because he cared.
And the prayers - WOW! There are so many churches and individuals praying for us, it's truly amazing. Literally we have felt bathed in those prayers. Some days on chemotherapy you feel so terrible there are not enough adjectives to describe your condition. Yet all those prayers, cards and love helped keep my eyes on Jesus. Publicly, I would also like to say that without the support of our church, Christ's Covenant, whose members and pastors are committed not only to "speaking the truth in love," but also living out their love, we would not have gone through this so well. I'm also especially thankful to have the love of my parents and the most precious, tender husband a woman could ever hope for. Currently, I hope to be in remission by Christmas. Whatever happens, I'm grateful for how the Lord mercifully used this difficult time to teach me much about faith, selfless love, prayer and the power of his Word.
Someone recently said to me that my cancer was a tragedy. I disagree. The real tragedy is not to know Christ, nor to realize all I have been blessed with. For each of you who prayed, bought a ticket at a benefit, gave me a hug, a card or a smile when I need it, Thank You! May the Lord richly bless you as you have blessed us!
Leanne Coffman Warsaw
Creightonville
Editor, Times-Union: Seasons change, but not our County Commissioners. In trying to make something humorous out of a pathetic situation, the only thing that comes to mind is the Andy Griffith Show - you know the characters: Sheriff Taylor, and the town's useless waste, Otis, goofy Barney Fife and sweet gullible Aunt Bee.
When driving by Otis' home recently in Creightonville I couldn't help but think, if the Air Force were going to close Grissom Air Force Base, they could use his road for its runway. If you have not seen it, you should. I don't believe there is anyone in the county other than Otis that has a county road in front of their home and business that could land a 747 Jumbo Jet.
The way it was rationalized, I was told, is that Otis and Barney Fife (Commissioner Jackson, if you are trying to figure out who's who) went for a drive to the future Creightonville and saw a need for a super highway that happened to go in front of Otis' house and business. Do you think Barney had any objections? Nope. Not even when there is another road in his district that the county has paved, stripped, repaved all this summer, and now repaired and it still looks like it is a county road in Baghdad. That would be Dewart Lake Road that probably gets four times the traffic. Go figure.
And, when Otis took Aunt Bee to see the eggstravagant newly paved road to the future Creightonville, I could imagine she could only think of one profitable use for this Eggstravagant Road - the future Egginapolis 500. Just think of all the big-name drivers: Egg J. Foyt, Mario Eggdretti, Big Egg and Little Egg Unser, to name a few. The only problem would be parking. Maybe Otis could rent the CCAC.
Keep up the reputable work, guys.
Tony Miller Warsaw
Mosaique Will Stay Open
Editor, Times-Union: Over the last few weeks we have been hearing gossip to the effect that our restaurant, Mosaique, located in downtown Warsaw, is going out of business.
In an effort to dispel these damaging rumors, I would like to assure our dining customers, past, present and future, that we have every intention of being here for a long time.
As of the first of December, Mosaique is booking parties for 1998, issuing gift certificates (no expiration date!) and continuing to make every effort to stay abreast of the wants and needs of our fine-dining clientele, whether it be the repeat corporate customer or the "special occasion" guest.
Since opening our doors in 1995, we have operated profitably and have dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly to making this venture a continuing success. To that end, we have recently revamped our waitstaff and appointed a new floor manager with a great attitude and friendly smile. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our local customers for their continued support, to wish all a happy holiday season, and invite anyone who enjoys fine dining to come in and see firsthand that Mosaique is alive and well and striving to bring to our customers great food, elegant atmosphere and friendly, professional service.
Nancy Sideris Owner/Chef and the staff of Mosaique Warsaw
A Helping Community
Editor, Times-Union: Recently I saw an admonition on a church marquee that in essence said, "Look around you, if you see someone in need, will you help?" Thank God there are many people in Kosciusko County that have done just that. I would like to take the opportunity to mention a few examples....The lady at the Pow-Wow this summer who just happened to be right behind us and able to help at just the right time - God bless you. To the two gentlemen who helped me transfer my husband from his wheelchair into the car, thank you and God bless you. A hearty "thank you" to all the volunteers who had a delicious tenderloin benefit for us. To each of our neighbors who have been watchful of us and helpful beyond measure, may God richly bless you, we thank you very much. To each and every one of you who have generously and kindly given us your extra pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and spare dollars these past months, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thanks also for all the warm smiles, friendly greetings and for not turning away from us.
There have been so many willing souls to help us in our needs that I couldn't begin to name them all even if I knew all their names, but each offer has humbled me, blessed me and rekindled my hope in the brotherhood of man. Thank you deeply, dear citizens of Kosciusko County, for "looking, seeing and helping." Please keep up all your good work.
Mara and Stan Rose Sidney
Webster Teacher
Editor, Times-Union: I thank you for your editorial concerning the unseemly, unnecessary and disgraceful action taken by the school administration against Mrs. Roberts, a North Webster veteran and very competent third-grade teacher. The administration indicated that those who opposed their decision - and there are many - are part of the problem.
I submit that if this infraction of policy or procedure had been handled in a professional, fair and more sensitive manner, such as a reprimand and warning, there would not be a problem.
Some who supported the action taken have indicated that perhaps sensitivity training was in order. I agree. Let's start with the administration, who displayed a total lack of sensitivity and instead did what they deemed to be politically correct.
I hope that the administration will carefully review their decision and not be so anxious to abuse their positions of power and authority in the future. We all know that common sense is fairly uncommon, but let us hope that some evidence of it emerges in the group of people we are entrusting to lead our children and our community forward.
We should all be alarmed, however, if we find that the administrators have minds like concrete - all mixed up and permanently set.
