A year later, father thankful after fire tragedy

To the editor:

I would like to thank everyone who came to the aid of my family at our time of need.

Three days after Christmas last year, my family suffered a tragedy. At 1:30 a.m. our house caught fire and engulfed everything in a matter of minutes. Our home, memories and every personal belonging were gone.

Thanks to God and the people of the heartland, in a matter of hours we had donations pouring in with faith, love and kindness we've never experienced before. Faith was restored in our hearts and minds.

Alexis, my 13-year-old daughter, was the real hero in my heart that night. Had she not heard the popping of the flames and got up to awaken her two younger sisters and mother, they too would have been taken from me. Thank you, Alexis, from Dad with the respect and love I'll never be able to show enough of.

Most of all, I'd like to thank God for bringing my family out of the flames alive and unharmed.

Thank you, God Almighty, for that gracious hand you laid down for me that night and woke a child to save the lives of her sisters and mother.

SONNY KUEHN

Marble Hill, Mo.