Letter: ‘Thank you, thank you and thank you’

Dear friends,

It has been my experience that, while living and working in the same town, certain difficulties arise. I have often thought that I should have chosen to live outside of Hastings so that I could avoid the awkwardness of knowing the driver who gets the ticket, the friend who gets arrested, or the family who is so hurting. I thought it would be easier and more practical to be looking in from the outside and not cause you embarrassment because you knew me. I thought it would be better just not knowing you so well.

Over the past few years and, most recently, my family and I have been through difficult times, like all of you. We have been in the paper, driving real cool cars (DARE) and had high profile exposure in this city. We have celebrated and rejoiced in our children and been broken in the death of Spencer. During these times we have found incredible comfort and support from this community. We have been hugged in Walmart, Target, in our schools and on the street. We have been held up in prayer and seen the countless shoes at the door of the kids who came to love us and support their classmate. We saw hundreds come and share our pain as we remembered Spencer. We found purpose in our pain and have built a stronger bond in our families, churches and city.

It’s exactly what God wanted to happen. It has been a blessing to be part of Hastings, and to be so loved.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus.

The Connell Family

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, hastings, minnesota, spiral, local