The Kindness of Strangers

After a particularly hard week at work and soggy weather, Saturday dawned calm and sunny so I decided to go for a leisurely drive to the river (about an hour and a half from my home in the Barossa Valley.)

I had travelled about ten kilometres when one of my tyres gave out and I was stuck on the side of the road. Fortunately I’m a member of the Automobile Association, so I gave them a call and was told it would be a one hour wait for assistance.

Not a problem. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer day or a nicer place to be stuck. I had plenty of time, the sun was shining and the surrounding hills were green and lush. The birds were singing their little hearts out.



I sat in the car and amused myself with writing and tidying up the car’s interior, with the radio to keep me company.

What I didn’t expect, though, was the generosity of passers-by who stopped to offer their help. First there was a young man in a van who suggested I cancel the call-out as he could have the tyre changed in five minutes, then a man towing a trailer full of furniture stopped, and not long after that two different couples stopped, one dressed in very fine clothes as though they were on their way somewhere very special.

I was amazed at these strangers willingness to get down onto the damp ground and get dirty to help a little old (or slightly more than middle-aged) lady! While I was extremely grateful for their offers of help, I assured them that I was happy to wait for the mechanic to turn up.

The mechanic arrived accompanied by his young son and they too were friendly and very helpful.



I then travelled to the next town and the next, looking for a tyre repair business that was open, but there were none (one of the small drawbacks of living in the country) so I decided to be daring and chance travelling on without a working spare tyre. I was almost into Waikerie (a large river-side town) when, on impulse, I detoured through a tiny town called Ramco.

To my surprise and delight I passed a home-run business that offered puncture repairs and new tyres while-u-wait, and of course the man was very friendly and had me sorted out with a new tyre in minutes.

It was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve spent in a while – including the flat tyre, and it was heartening to find that people are so caring and willing to help someone in need.



I made a point of thanking them all and letting them know how much their kindness meant to me. If we all remember to do that whenever someone goes out of their way for us, then maybe - just maybe - that kindness will infect everyone.


#_gratitude
#_perspective
#_appreciation
#_inspiration
#_people
#_giving
#_helping_others
#_interaction

%selfavenue