To the members of the Nickle Mines Amish Community,

It is only fitting that I take a moment to thank all of you as well.

I have learned a valuable life lesson from watching and listening to the members of your community as you travel down the road on which you found yourselves on one week ago. Although I have had to watch from afar, rest assured, I have been paying attention.

The lesson I have learned is one that I have been struggling with since October 28, 2003. That was the day that my life, much like your's, changed forever. It was the day that my granddaughter was murdered.

You have shown me that it is possible to forgive. I now have hope that someday I may be able to do as you have done. That someday, I too, might find the strength in my faith to forgive the man that brutally murdered a 2 year old girl.

Bless all of you, and thank you. Thank you for setting an example for me, as well as all of us, to follow

Thank you for sharing your story and the impact that the Amish way of love and forgiveness, even in the darkest times, had on your life and your personal grief.
I know many of the families who lost daughters, and it lightens their hearts greatly know that their girls did not die in vain. Through their sacrifice, a message of love - true, Godly love - has reached .... what, a hundred million people? The event has touched many hearts very deeply. Who among us can say we impacted the world so? It's a powerful thing.

I am glad some of you are now respecting the Amish. As a former Lancaster County resident, not all comments in the past were very nice in reference to the Amish on TalkBack. Especially after a tragedy of an Amish child on the farm.
I sent a contribution to the fund, ask my minister to pray for the Amish and Lancaster County, (he already was without my request) and I made a speech at the Fort Lauderdale City Commission Meeting on October 3rd, asking for prayers and speaking about the Amish and their willingness to forgive.
Maybe all of you in Lancaster will come together now without prejudice toward anyone. I know the buggies are slow on the roads, but be patient.
I wish all of you a "Happy Thanksgiving". I think there is much to be thankful for in Lancaster County this year!