Story of ‘kindness’

Dear Editor:

We are all very different, for many reasons, and now that almost everyone is embroiled in the really mucky state of universal anger, greed, unnecessary hatred, let alone natural disasters, many people have become despondent and youth are turning to crime or the refuge of drugs and alcohol. Understandable, but sad.

All is not lost, as there are many kindnesses and positive actions all around us, so perhaps, if a few of us sent local accounts to you, such news might beat the sadness of the weekly police reports.

On the morning of Jan. 22 it was -17C, and the wind was blowing when my other half went out to the barn to collect the yellow bags and recycling materials for collection at the end of our long driveway. 

He took with him a notice I had written on a large envelope to nail to the gatepost for a delivery truck, suggesting that they call us, and we would meet them at the road. One of my daughters had sent me a gift, but as our driveway was once again covered in snow, on top of ice, even though it had just been blown, we did not want anyone to get stuck unnecessarily.

Later, as we were finishing a late lunch, our dog announced that there was a visitor.

To our amazement it was the driver of the Dragonfly truck. He had walked all the way down our long slippery laneway with the parcel. Poor man, it was so cold and windy, yet he had a big smile on his kind face, and handed over the parcel. Such an uncomfortable effort was not necessary, as the shipping label had also suggested calling us, so we could make the collection. 

However, to him the personal delivery was part of his job. We thanked him profusely, and my daughter wrote a very grateful report to the office.  So many people would not have considered walking the 100 metres of bad footing, to prevent the parcel from being stolen, but he did. A kindness to be remembered.

I know of several people with similar stories.

Carol Williams,
Elora