Letter to the Editor: Coming “home”

To the Editor:
August 1, 2015 I came home. It was two days after my first chemo treatment. I would have really appreciated it if the moving crew that showed up unexpectedly had just left me lying in my misery.
Several miles to the east of Waukon, we were headed to our “new” older house in the community of Lansing. Although I was weak and overwhelmed, the move seemed like it went well enough with my husband and daughter at the helm. The truth is, as much as I have always loved the town of Lansing, I didn’t even want to be alive at that point, let alone setting up another household.
Then it happened. Lansing’s basketful of welcome started arriving at the door, despite our dachshund tinkling on their shoes. The welcoming has been going on ever since, and the wiener dog has quit tinkling on their shoes.
It’s now been six months.  Quietly our neighbors, and old friends from years past, have been there for us in so many ways. It is hard to imagine how we could have made it through all we have gone through without their support. We will never be able to thank them all enough, but it will be a lot of fun to keep trying.
There is just this one little thing, with spring hopefully around the block here and nearly Groundhog Day. Does anyone know if there is a way to discourage the moles that are apparently also very happy in Lansing? The last neighbor I asked simply said, “At least they aerate the soil.”
I love this town!

Sincerely,
Ann Gallagher
“Catfish Annie”
Lansing