Mountain Home truly a caring community

Dear editor,

Often when we visit or vacation in a new place it is exciting or interesting for a short period of time.

This is what I expected in April 2015. I stayed for a month that time and was so enthused I returned in June 2015 and stayed 10 weeks. I thought I had worn out my welcome until my friends (now considered family) again invited me to visit again, this time from November 2016 to mid January 2017.

I have never felt so welcomed in any place I have visited. The Christmas Parade was wonderful, and I had many new friends young and old enjoying it with me. I have been seriously contemplating making my permanent home here in Mountain Home.

Then my first "ouch" occurred. I slid off my bed and thought I had damaged my left hip (go ahead and snicker). I went to the hospital on Dec. 15 for x-rays. The emergency room staff treated me wonderfully and were very kind.

Turns out, all was well. No breaks. Just bruises to the hip and my pride. On Friday the 16th, we decided to do a bit of Christmas shopping, so off we went to the local Walmart. Upon alighting from the car, I stepped on a bit of ice and proceeded to stagger about like a three-day drunk. This culminated in another fall, and, of course, on the left hip.

As I was laying there on the frozen ground in pain, I heard voices talking to me. Not cursing me for being in their way, not laughing at me for falling. These were warm, concerned and helping voices.

Unfortunately I was only able to catch two names, Stephanie and Becky, but I heard men and women concerned for the welfare of a stranger. I was totally unknown to these special angels.

I was covered and cared for, and I was later told that seven people stripped off their coats to cover me and stood in the freezing weather for my benefit. This is so amazing to me.

The people of Mountain Home are so wonderful, and this was a selfless act on their parts. They cared for me as though I were a friend or family member, treasured and loved. Along with my "family" that was with me, these people waited until the paramedics arrived, and then jumped in to help get me loaded up.

Again, the staff at St. Luke's Elmore treated me with kindness and dignity, understanding the pain I was in, and comforted me. It is my sincere wish to be able to find a home to rent here in Mountain Home, Idaho. The joy, hearts and caring of this community is a boon and blessing to those that have lived in a cold uncaring world. Thank you and God bless,

-- Carol Buchanan,

Mountain Home