Makers Collage - coming in December from Windham Fabrics!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Kindness of Strangers

 The Kindness of Strangers

There is nothing like time on the road.
A change of scenery.
A little inspiration.
Somewhere between here and there, on an Interstate between Utah and Idaho,
I ran into a snow flurry, icy roads and a temp of 23.
Of course, when this pic was taken, it was still just an adventure. 
And you could still see two lanes of road.

The car started to slide.

I eased onto the shoulder of the Interstate.
The highway was now only one lane, and littered with accidents.
On my right, ten feet below, was a car, upside down, against a tree.
Behind me, a man pulled over and was making his way down the hill to the wrecked car.

Even with a sleeping bag, water and food, I knew I wasn't safe by the side of the road.
Conditions were closing fast.
Out came the chains.

The car behind me started to pull away - I flagged it down.
What good were the chains if you couldn't see the road?

"You can make it, follow my tracks, I think these people (from the accident) are in shock, we have to go,"
he explained.
The road was a white blanket of snow, ice below.
No more tracks.

Tim from Twin Falls
had rescued a father and son from probable death,
and sheltered me to safety.

There are times in life when we are self sufficient.
We are all that we need.
And then there are times that we pass through life
only 
by the grace of
the Kindness of Strangers.

I, for one, am more than ready to return the favor.
Won't you?
Send a package to someone serving in the military.
Make a quilt for a child that has nothing under their tree.
Work in a shelter kitchen.
Donate your jacket.

Be the Kindness of a Stranger.

BeginAgain.
2010

natalie.



4 comments:

Jan said...

I firmly believe that people really are good. Your post is proof. My recent deeds, have all involved books. My daughter's BFF, has a 20 year old serving in Afghanistan, and I don't know him. I send him books, once a month. He only wants sports books, so that's what I send.

Jocelyn said...

And sometimes we entertain Angels unawares.

jackiero said...

I have chills from reading your story Natalie....thank God you are safe.
I agree about being kind to strangers, I usually try my best when I see someone in need.
Blessing & hugs to you, Jackie in NC

Juels said...

Goosebumps all over me! It reminded me of when my place was very close to flooding and I was trying to fill sand bags and haul them over to the car in the torrential rain. A man saw me struggling and came over to help, even though his place WAS flooding.

Glad you were in the right place at the right time. Merry Christmas!