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Utahn reunites with officer who saved her life when dad, sisters were slain in 1952

What a magnificent REAL testomony of a true Christian this mother, Christal, has been in this life.

Faced with devistation and unimaginable horror in her life, she holds onto faith, forgiveness and God`s will in her life to remain positive and productive.

A very touching story and a glimpse at how our Lord`s teachings can and do get us through the worst life has to offer....

Incredible story of endurance!

This is an incredible story. Thank you for the well written, lengthy detailed account. It is one that needed to be brought to light and told, and worthy movie script material. It was heart wrenching as well. Sondra, who was the child had a purpose and survived to tell her experience. Her mother also is a hero and a woman of faith, forgiveness and courage. Officer Cooley deserved more than just a handshake, and is a hero too. Sondra, best to you and your pursuit to your doctoral degree. You have an amazing story to share, do it. Thank you again. Anna McIntire.

A small tribute to the mother, Christal. She has passed on now, but truly exemplified what it is to be Christlike, to be forgiving, to enjoy ilife

Amazing story Amy - award winning.

Absolutely amazing story. Thanks for sharing it.

Inspiring!

A story worth reading... Thank you Amy for putting the meaning of the story to paper...

an inspiring story. Thanks DN...

Inspirational! So refreshing in this world to hear such an incredible story of normal day to day heroism and forgiveness. Such a different result, i.e. wonderful blessings from the Lord rather than what so often is the result of such trials, a legacy of bitterness and hate. Thank you Sondra. We know that your mother and father are very pleased indeed in what you have done in your life for so very many.

Thanks to Sondra and to her mother! This is wonderful to read one of the few instances where someone chooses to trust and forgive and really move on.
I will think of them whenever I read of / see on TV the many who wallow in grudge and hate and revenge for years, when someone they love has been wronged.

Wow. This is a remarkable - and very well written - story. Thanks for sharing. I am deeply touched.

Wow it moved me to tears, Im so very pleased you shared this with us x

As tears are falling from my eyes...... "Thank you Sondra for sharing this tragic but inspiring life event". How wonderful that you were blessed with a strong Mother to help you carry on. She deserves a lot of credit! What powerful FAITH exists in your family!!! How awesome that Sondra was able to meet Officer Cooley! Thank you for the reminder of the importance of families, forgiving, surviving and relying in God through all of it!

I was at BYU when this event occured. My family in Susanville knew Gard Young and family and the sorrow carried to Provo to my self and roommates (also from Susanville, CA-Kent South and Vernon Todd). We met the mom and Sondra , when they came to Provo to restart their lives. Susanville, Chester and Westwood were close-knit communities in the far-northern section of California. What a great family and they still are.

I was moved with tears, my heart was beating through my chest when i read about how it must have felt to see the man that saved her life. There are truly heros in this world.

I am privileged to be Christal's sister and Sondra, Wayne, and Tammy's aunt. Having lived through this with this remarkable woman and hearing directly from her her tremendous faith you can be assured that it was genuine and real. I have learned so much from her throughout my life. And I am privileged now to live close to these three remarkable children - Sondra, Wayne, and Tammy! I think you can see that Christal learned a lot of that faith from her, and my, special mom and Dad! Let's all learn from this wonderful woman and her family!

Thanks Mark for sending this on to me. I was thirteen when this happened. It brought back memories of visiting with the family in their rooms above the grocery store. And of the shock and disbelief that something like this could happen around Susanville, Westwood and Chester. What faith Sondra has! And what a marvelous story of forgiveness from her mother.

I'm so glad this CHP officer was able to see Sondra again. It must have been very emtional for them both. And wonderful the CHP sent some officers to acknowledge the his efforts and the terrible situation he extracted good from.

Thank God that there were then and now are men like this police officer. And how wonderful an example of a mother's faith and devotion and commitment to bring good into a world of evil.