Wednesday, December 15, 2004
| After yet another car meltdown, I experienced an unusual encounter with Roy. Roy, an 83 year old war veteran, picked me up in his old beater van on the highway. I had just decided to start walking away from my car after a good stint of staring blankly, yet observantly mind you, into the car engine. Within ten steps of leaving my car, Roy stopped and invited me into his car for a lift. He had no bottom teeth (I'm assuming he left the dentures at home), spoke with great disdain for the government as I went for the seatbelt ("No need for that, my dear"), and told me the story of his unruly alcoholic neighbours. Nevertheless, Roy proved to be my saviour of the day, driving me to the nearest exit while entertaining me the entire way. At first, his stories washed over me as I tried to replay the recent car dilemma. But within moments, I relished his diatribe, recognized the lively spirit within Roy, and was grateful for the bizarre distraction of his spitting, tireless chatter.
The kindness of strangers, whatever their situation, never ceases to amaze me. |
