“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
– Amelia Earhart
Over the last 22 years I have written many articles, mostly about planned gifts or estate planning issues, but occasionally about personal issues. This column is about the latter but it illustrates a level of kindness that is so prevalent in this part of the world. And, it becomes all the more important especially at this time of the year.
My wife has a little craft business, and recently she asked me to do her bank deposit for her, and since I was available I quickly consented. She handed me her deposit book along with 30 twenty dollar bills, 15 five dollar bills, and a cheque. I then walked out though my door towards my vehicle. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed our garbage bin out by the sidewalk, and placing the deposit book on the hood of my Jeep, walked towards the bin to see if it had been emptied. Then I turned back and got into my vehicle, and proceeded up Strawberry Marsh Road where I live. I turned onto Allandale Road and then left until the Prince Philip Parkway, which some of you may know is a major four lane divided highway which cuts through Memorial University. As I was passing University Avenue, I noticed the deposit book on the hood and much to my utter horror, it flew off. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw the bills flying around on the highway.
I quickly pulled off to the left and got out in a panic and tried valiantly to pick up these elusive bills which were blowing around on this busy highway. Another vehicle was approaching me and, to my surprise, it stopped, right in the middle of the road and essentially blocking traffic, while I frantically rushed around trying to retrieve the bills. The next thing I knew, the driver—an amazing woman—jumped out and began helping me pick up my wife’s deposit.
In short order, we had retrieved most of the bills but in the meantime, traffic was backed up because of this lady’s vehicle. I thanked her, probably not enough, but rushed back to my Jeep and drove away. I didn’t have time to adequately thank her or to offer her a reward for assisting me in this very difficult situation. I have no idea who she was but for that brief period of time—when all hell was breaking out for me—she was my guardian angel. And if by chance that she may be reading this, I want to say thank you to her for such kindness and fast attention to my plight.
Now with Christmas coming on, I am reminded of a quote from Charles Schulz, the Peanuts cartoon creator who said that, “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” Well, that lady did something very big for me. Bless her. Rest assured that I will be paying it forward.
“With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”
– Max Ehrmann
