Letter from James Loney

Following letter, received by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, was presented to members of City Council tonight:

************************* James Loney 78 Springhurst Ave. Toronto, ON M6K 1B8

November 24

To the Mayor, Members of City Council, the City Administration and the People of Sault Ste. Marie:

With the anniversary of our abduction two days away, this is a long-delayed note of thanks.

It really is difficult for me to know how to express the depth of my gratitude.

You gave me, my fellow captives (Harmeet Sooden, Norman Kember and Tom Fox), and most importantly of all, my family so much: your thoughts and prayers, gifts of food, baskets of fruit, a sympathetic ear and a helping hand, the book of remembrance at City Hall - I don't think I'll ever know the breadth and depth of the love and the solidarity that was extended to us.

And I'll never forget the beautiful welcome I received - the ribbons on my street, Sault Star pictures in windows, signs everywhere expressing prayers and good wishes.

Isn't there a line in Amazing Grace that goes something like "I can scarcely take it in"?

A friend of mine likes to say an "explosion of goodness" occurred in response to our captivity.

Truly, the Sault was one of the epicentres of that goodness.

I am blessed indeed, and immensely proud, to have roots here.

And I must say again, what I'm most grateful for is the way the whole city wrapped a blanket of protection and support around my family.

I don't know how they could have gotten through that time of crisis without your prayers and concern and gestures of love.

Sincerely and so gratefully,

James Loney

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