Locals helped a stranger who lost her daughter at the bridge

My name is Bonnie Adams, and I do not live in your community; I am from Ocala, Fla. Fourteen months ago, my daughter, Jana, and I were traveling from Montana through Taos when she took her life by jumping from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

I found myself alone in Taos, yet was blessed with support, community and care from three Taos angels. This painful experience would have been even worse had it not been for Ted Wiard, Curly O’Connor and Jill Cline. While several caring, nice strangers attended to my trauma during the first hours, it was Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe’s call to Jill that prompted a call to Ted. That call began the kind and gentle care that my family and I would receive from your wonderful community.

Jill Cline, who is a transitional deacon at St. James Episcopal Church; Ted Wiard, owner of Golden Willow Retreat; and Curly O’Conner, another mother whose son chose the same fate as my daughter, are those individuals. Because of their kindness and care, I never felt alone — I was in their care. These three individuals from your community — Jill, Ted and Curley — interrupted their lives and gave their time and talents to help me, a stranger, and my family.

Jill was there for my first hours alone. She walked with me, listened to me, helped to secure flights, shopped for food and stayed with me the first night until she knew I was safe. Jill took me to Santa Fe the next day in her car to pick up my husband. She devoted so much of her time to comfort me with words and her life experiences and showed compassion and warmth at a needy time.

Knowing that I was alone in Taos, Ted and Curly were there the next morning at 7 a.m. They knew just what to say. They treated me like family with concern and guidance through their years of training and experience. Their care and counsel gave my experience validity and provided a message of gentle love. They were able to tell the story of Golden Willow, of Curly’s experience as a mother and of Ted’s vast education and eventual acceptance of life’s tragedies.

Ted met with me, my husband and our son numerous times. He arranged to get us out of a motel and into his father’s casita for three nights while we were in Taos. We are so grateful to Sheriff Hogrefe and Sergeant Rick Romero who continued to update and visit my family throughout our time in Taos. Additionally, Under-Sheriff Steve Miera went well above and beyond with the retrieval of Jana’s body from the river, which took over three weeks.

My family and I are also thankful for Dorien Martinez with Rivera Family Funerals, who was especially comforting. She not only carefully guided us through our funeral home options but connected with us by sharing her own personal experience.

Finally, we are so touched by the care and consideration of Charlie and Judy Anderson, the wonderful couple who offered their casita to my husband, son and myself for three nights. In addition to giving us a place to gather and grieve, they also provided meals for us, and muchneeded moments of comfort and fellowship.

While a trip from Montana suddenly and unexpectedly threw my family and I into this sad event, over a year later, the kindness and services my family received still amaze us.

We continue to mourn Jana’s loss and celebrate her memory, and know that it was the support, care and concern we were shown in Taos that made the unbearable bearable for us. While we can never repay the many kindnesses given to us in the wake of Jana’s passing, we hope this letter can in some small way return the love that was shown to us when we needed it most.

With gratitude.