Ben, Maddy and Sam cannot be summed up here. I’ve tried, and erased every effort. If you knew them, then you understand. They made this world a better place, each beautiful, intelligent, loving, and unique in such wonderful ways. I hope they made your lives better. And I’m sorry for those of you who never had the joy of meeting them. They were the best of me and more.
— Excerpt from a note posted to Facebook by lobbyist Brad Tower, responding to the outpouring of support following the house fire that claimed the lives of his three children. Tower represents Christmas tree growers and dentists in Olympia.