What was meant for harm turned into a blessing

          Friday, May 19 started out like any day of the week.
          I rustled out of bed just after 5:15 a.m., showered and prepared for the workday.
        Arriving at work just before 6:30 a.m., I pulled into a parking spot behind the office. I shut off my van, which had run great, entered the building and clocked in for the workday.
          Our morning meeting started at 6:40 a.m.
      It was at least 15 minutes, maybe 20 minutes after arriving at work, when someone looked out the warehouse door during our morning meeting and noticed a vehicle on fire.
        As some of the employees headed outside, I followed suit. Within a few moments, I realized that my van was on fire.
        Inside the van were a few personal items along with my glasses and New Balance shoes. I was one of five employees that day who had volunteered to participate in the Poweshiek County Extension Ag Safety Day in Montezuma. I brought my New Balance shoes to change into to make standing all day more comfortable.
       After the Grinnell Fire Department put out the fire, I looked and the entire front of the van was melted. The licenses plate, the headlights, grill and even most of the dash were a melted mass of plastic. Everything plastic was melted off the engine, including one of the valve covers.
        I may have been in shock, I don’t know. One of the office employees gave me hug as I stood there looking at the van wondering what was next. What do I do?
       Management decided to send me home, which was a good move. I hitched a ride with the crew headed to Montezuma for safety day.
       By days end, I had contacted the local bank and Chevrolet dealer about another vehicle. I connected with Teen Challenge/Sheepgate and donated what was left of the 2004 Mercury. It was my mom’s van and Debbie and I took possession of it in October 2010 as was the wishes of my parents following their earlier deaths. It served us well and had 227,000 plus miles on it.
     Many have asked what happened and I don’t know the cause of the fire. The Grinnell FD Chief said he wasn’t going to try and find a cause. 
     What I am most thankful for is no one was hurt. No other vehicles in the parking lot were damaged. And the fire didn’t happen while I was driving or sitting in the van. That is a good thing.
     Debbie and I and our oldest nephew returned to my work later in the day and retrieved a couple items out of the back of the van. Debbie found my glasses case, which was tucked in front of the center console.
     She had just bought the $3 glasses case on Amazon a few weeks earlier. The case was somewhat melted, but the glasses were fine. My New Balance shoes didn’t fare as well as debris from the fire had melted on them. They went to the trash can.
     That evening, the telephone rang and it was Ron Hensel, aka Ron the Barber in Montezuma, on the other end of the line. He called to ask if it would be OK if he set up a fund drive to help us get another vehicle.
     Humbled, I of course said yes and thanked him for what he was doing. He opened the account with $200. He posted a picture of our burnt van and asked others to help. He spoke of my years of writing stories and taking photos of various events around Poweshiek County.
     “J.O. had liability Insurance on his van but by it being an older vehicle and totaled, he could use Poweshiek County residents help,” Ron wrote in his post. “Many pictures and stories he's given us, maybe we can give a little something back.”
     In addition, a week later, a co-worker of mine opened a Go Fund Me account seeking funds. It was a big help.
     Thanks to the generosity of so many, we were able to purchase a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban from Vannoy Chevrolet in Montezuma on June 9. Capra Bank in Montezuma was a big help in keeping track of the fundraiser and Montezuma State Bank helped us with a small vehicle loan to purchase the Suburban.
      It’s older, but has low miles and has been well taken care of. It will serve Debbie and I well for a number of years.
     So many stepped up to make a difference. Ron did a great job keeping folks updated and then shared a photo of our newer ride.
     One lady sent us a card in the mail and talked about the time I wrote a story on her business. She included a nice donation. Others thanked me for all I have done in telling people’s stories. One man handed me a donation at a community event and thanked me for all I have done.
    Another young lady posted on Facebook about me being the best photographer at the Poweshiek County Fair.
     “I remember being stressed after the rabbit show after I didn't do as good as I wanted and J.O. was going to take a picture and I replied with, "But I didn't win." He calmly stated, "It's still important. You worked for it." Those words have always been in my mind since. I'm glad that he is appreciated by everyone in Poweshiek County!”
      Talk about beauty from the ashes.
      In closing, the success that I have enjoyed in community journalism would not be possible without people supporting the paper and allowing me to tell their stories. Debbie also plays an important part in my life. She is my resident proofreader. I bounce ideas off her and she gives me story ideas and helps in so many ways. She gets me up and ready to go each and every day. I’m so thankful for all she does to make life better for both of us. I’m so blessed!
       Life to me is about giving to others and Debbie and I are most thankful for everyone who gave and made a difference in our lives. It is so much appreciated and will never be forgotten.
        Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day and always.