TO THE EDITOR:

Thank you for the thoughtful article on the desolation of our family home (Harris House Trashed, April 5, 2006). Living in Central Nebraska, I have only been able to share our familyís sorrow via the telephone. I have heard a pain and sorrow in my brotherís voice that I have never heard before.

We believe, however, that all things happen for a reason. My brother, Don, did not just happen to go to the farm and the police did not just happen to be nearby that day. It may be to help some young people to choose a different path.

My parents have always loved young people. I wish our father was alive to tell you how he and our mother saved to purchase their farm for $2000 and how they moved there 52 years ago with their baby daughter. How they raised a family together until our fatherís death from cancer. How they tried to live a life of doing right.

It is fitting that I return this Holy Week to share the load. For in the cross of Christ, we are reminded of the forgiveness God offers to each of us as we repent of our sin and turn to Him.

Young people, what you did to our family farm, to yourselves, and to each other was very wrong and very serious. We pray that this will not be the end of your story but only the beginning of a life of doing right. Letís start today!

Marsha Jean Ramberg Carlson
Kearney, NE