Editor,

On Dec. 22, my 82 year-old mother wandered off at dusk. After a half hour search, my husband called the sheriff for an assist.

I want people to know that with all the bad news we hear and see every day, we live in a remarkable place. Not only did the sheriff respond, but it seemed like the entire county responded to our need. We had the fire department, sheriff, a search-and-rescue helicopter from the Navy base, multiple volunteers with their search and rescue dogs all the way from South Whidbey, as well as our neighbors. They helped to find my mother, who was lost in the dark on a rainy, cold and windy night. She was found five hours later by one of the deputy sheriffs and brought to Whidbey General Hospital by the fire rescue.

The emergency staff at Whidbey General hospital treated her for hypothermia, warmed her, and I was able to take her home.

I want to thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart. I wish these kinds of stories made it to the news more often.

I’m sure there are many more stories like this to be told and would help balance all the bad news we are exposed to.

Thank you all for ensuring our family had a Merry Christmas. You are all remarkable people.

Monika Haynes

Oak Harbor