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An Appleton family has much to be thankful for this holiday season.
Around 11:30 p.m., on Nov. 10, Susan and Chad Cooper received the surprise of their life, but it’s how they handled the situation in the aftermath that can be a witness to others.
Mrs. Cooper said that she awoke to what she thought was a tree falling on their Appleton Road home but said it didn’t make sense that it would be the tree.
“I said, ‘What’s happening? What’s happening? What’s going on?’”
It wasn’t a tree that came through her home, but rather a Nissan Xterra.
“Once I knew my family was OK, I started asking the driver if he was OK,” she said. “It was the natural thing to make sure all were OK.”
Mrs. Cooper said that she hopes to speak to the Escambia County Commission about the bad intersection coming into Appleton Road from Lowery Landing Road.
“We don’t want there to be a death to get home help,” she said. “If it’s foggy, you can’t see the intersection.”
She said another neighbor has experienced accidents as well.
Despite the tragedy of her home being damaged, Mrs. Cooper is making the best of it.
“I’m so thankful,” she said. “It’s a season of thanksgiving. It’s just a house. It can be replaced. I have a peace knowing God takes care of us. I have not shed a tear over material things.”
Mrs. Cooper said she and her family want something good to come out of the incident.
“We are thankful that God took care of us, but there is more good that can come out of it,” she said.
Mrs. Cooper had nothing but gratitude to show for her neighbors.
“Our neighbors helped us until 4:30 in the morning,” she said. “Then, they came over the next day and hauled off debris.”
Right now the Coopers are staying at different places.
“We are next door at my mother-in-law’s,” she said. “One daughter is staying with my mother and the other is staying at my brothers.”
Mrs. Cooper said there is no idea on the timeframe of when the home would be repaired.
“I hope to have an answer by today or tomorrow,” she said.
Regardless of the timeframe, Mrs. Cooper is quick to give thanks.
“He has a plan for us,” she said. “You don’t limit God.”
She also thanked her church family at Appleton Assembly of God.
“They have been so supportive and such a blessing to us,” she said. “This Thanksgiving is going to be extra special.”