Dear Editor,
My love affair with Tucker County began many years ago. As a young bride of 16, my husband brought me to this beautiful and wild place for our honeymoon. I was immediately in love and completely terrified. He took me to a small hunting cabin up in the woods and began to tell me stories of the bears, wildcats, and all manner of scary things. I had never been away from my parents, so I quickly had enough of the teasing and started crying, I wanted to go home! Jon did not know what to do so he took me to his Aunt Mary Hebb’s house in St. George. She greeted me with a big hug and gave Jon an ear full. So, to make a long story short, we spent our honey moon with Aunt Mary and the wonderful folks in St. George.
This first visit piqued my curiosity and I had to come back. Year after year we returned and walked the mountains and valleys my husband played in as a child. And, after our children were born, we brought them. It was always a dream of ours to live in West Virginia; it was just always unattainable, till February 14th, 2013. How appropriate that on a day which celebrates love we would start a journey that would bring us to the place that we fell in love with so long ago. Jon was reading the Parsons Advocate when he noticed the ad posted for the chief of police position. He hesitantly brought it to my attention, hoping that I would not think he was crazy. I told him if he did not apply for it, we would always regret it. So, he started the process and we started praying.
In what seemed like no time at all, we had our answer. Yes, he had the job and we were headed to Tucker County. There were a lot of fears, tears and worries, but God provided all along the way. He made the impossible, possible throughout our journey. When we arrived at our new home, we were amazed. We had a place waiting on us so we could come straight in and rest, in addition to fantastic meals provided for us. When we got to the house there were lots of hands to help unload and more food. During those first few weeks, we were the recipients of so many acts of kindness; I could never recall all of them. Our neighbors are just amazing. They don’t just assume that you have things under control; they get in your business. In all of the places that we have lived and traveled, I have never felt more loved than here.
You have made us feel loved, accepted and at home. I am so glad that our daughter will grow to be part of such a fine community. We love you all and want to support you like we have been supported. You all are in our thoughts and prayers daily, if you need us, our door is open.
Thank you all again,
Jon, Lisa & Chloe Jones.