To the Editor:

In the last few weeks it seems like the entire North Country has been grappling with loss. The shock of the recent accident on I-81 continues to resonate here and in far away places like Washington D.C., Virginia, and Colorado. However, for the families dealing with this tragedy, the pain remains personal.

While Sen. Schumer has proposed legislation that will help prevent future deaths, we still mourn for those we have lost before new life-saving regulations could be passed. In addition to this proposed legislation, there has been another positive for me, my North Country community.

Since Rod first passed away the outpouring of support and encouragement from the local community has been incredible. In those first days when I could hardly breathe, friends, neighbors, and church members brought so much food that we filled two refrigerators. Phone calls, letters, cards, and social media posts have all shown just how tight knit our community is.

While I will make an attempt to write individual thank you cards to those I can, in truth the list of those I am grateful for is too long -and some are faces or prayers that I have no names to thank. So, to those first responders in the EMS family who drove long distances to pay their respects, thank you. To those who stopped by the house, called, sent cards, and in other innumerable ways encouraged my family, thank you. To the absolute strangers who stopped and saluted, or took off their hats as the procession passed by, thank you.

Specifically to RB Lawrence and staff, Ann Smith of the Ft. Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, Potsdam Rescue, and Bucks Funeral Home, there are truly no words for the gratitude I hold for your care and support. You each have helped me start down this path I never would have chosen with true love and compassion. Thank you.

Maya Angelou said "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." The food has been eaten, the cards have been read. But the memory of how my community made me feel loved, supported, and encouraged will never fade away. Thank you.

Patsy Cota

Norwood