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EAGLE MOUNTAIN -- Thomas Powell has suffered an unimaginable loss. But in this season of Thanksgiving, he is counting his blessings -- particularly for his oldest son. He makes every minute count with 7-year-old Anthony, who is finally coming home after spending time in the hospital burn unit.
As devastating as it was to see his son suffer serious burns to his foot from playing with a lighter at home, he now considers it a blessing in disguise.
Powell was at Anthony's bedside in the hospital burn unit on Saturday when two Utah Highway Patrol troopers arrived to inform him his wife Inndia, and two sons -- 3-year-old Alex and 1-year-old Ashton -- had not survived a rollover accident in Summit County.
"If Anthony would have been in that car, he would have died as well," Powell said. "It is a huge blessing to still have my son here."
Breaking the news to Anthony that his mother and brothers would not be coming home was heart-wrenching -- but the boy was much stronger than his father expected.
The father and son have always been close, but now that bond is even stronger.
"Anthony and I still have each other and we still have our family, and we'll still make it work," Powell said.
A viewing for Inndia, Alex and Ashton Powell will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cottonwood Stake Center, 2225 E. 6890 S. in Cottonwood Heights. A viewing will also be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. prior to the funeral, which will begin at noon.
Anthony is headed home from the hospital, some good news for the family. As Powell faces the unthinkable loss of the rest of his family, he says he is uplifted by his faith and strengthened by the outpouring of support he is receiving, much of it from people he doesn't know. He offers his gratitude to them, by sharing advice he is learning from this tragedy.
"Love your spouse, husband or wife; love your children and love them as much as you can, because today you have them and tomorrow they could be gone, you never know," he said.
A viewing for Inndia, Alex and Ashton Powell will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cottonwood Stake Center, 2225 E. 6890 S. in Cottonwood Heights. A viewing will also be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. prior to the funeral, which will begin at noon.
Email: spenrod@ksl.com
