The Kindness of Strangers

Our daughter-in-law's 2019 table arrangement

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse. Henry Van Dyke, author, educator, clergyman.

I can’t remember a time when more people rushed in to assist us than on our recent trip to Ohio. And with each kindness, I raised a little prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Our need for help began with our departure from the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Tennessee/Kentucky border. Designed to protect part of the Cumberland River, the park is 12 miles off of our designated route on narrow, mountainous roads.

After a good night’s sleep, we were ready to start a new day. Bob cranked our little motorhome, drove across the road to the bathhouse, then stopped. When we returned, the vehicle would not start. I called the Ranger for assistance, but by the time he arrived, several men from the campground had gathered also. First, they checked the battery with the Ranger’s truck and a camper’s jumper cables. Nothing.

As I sat in the vehicle, I was on ready to call for towing assistance.

Another camper ambling to the bathhouse stopped. He listened to the problem and began to look under the hood. Others gave him room. He went to the fuse box and switched two relays. Bob turned the key and we all knew that the RV wanted to start. The man worked a bit more and had Bob try again. And, it started. He told Bob that he had switched identical relays, 15 and 38, and we needed to get them replaced as soon as possible. “Throw these away,” he said. I’ll never forget those two numbers.

By then, I had located the nearest Chevrolet dealer and we headed into Kentucky, not stopping for fear the vehicle wouldn’t start again. The first dealer turned us away; he didn’t have time to help us. We turned to the next dealer 50 miles away and scheduled an appointment for three o’clock. And that’s when the acts of kindnesses continued to snowball.

This service guy listened to our story. He only had one relay, but he replaced #38 and gave Bob the old one. He checked the battery and said it was in good condition. He only charged us the cost of the part. No charge for labor. Bob even went back to check on the bill, saying “I’ve never complained before about being undercharged.” There was no mistake.

The third dealer was able to replace the second relay and again, only charged for the part. While we waited, another customer gave us excellent directions for reaching the scenic drive featuring nine covered bridges. He told us to watch for the apple orchards along that drive, also.

During this Ohio trip, we stopped several times to ask for directions, but one I especially remember. Bob pulled into a parking lot of what looked like a small business. As I neared the door, I realized it was a cancer treatment center. But I entered thinking that the receptionist could give me directions to the nearest grocery store. As soon as I asked, a young nurse standing at the desk, took me outside to show me the quickest way to our destination two blocks away. Because of one-way streets, her assistance was far more helpful that a quickly drawn map or my trying to follow verbal directions.

And campground folks, no one can praise them enough. At one state park gift shop, I bought a postcard to send to a friend after learning she had had surgery. Starting at this gift shop, I asked to buy a stamp. The answer was always “no stamps.” However, at the smallest campground we stayed in, the ranger gave me one from her purse. She would not let me pay her.

At two other campgrounds, hosts assisted us in finding a suitable site. With present day reservation systems, some of the better sites, even if vacant, are off limits to drop-ins. But if they haven’t been reserved for the evening, campground hosts can help. Asking for help opens a lot of doors.

As our national holiday of Thanksgiving arrives, we count our blessings. Among mine this year is the kindness of so many strangers.

Perhaps Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO says it best. “When autumn darkness falls, what we will remember are the small acts of kindness: a cake, a hug, an invitation to talk, and every single rose. These are all expressions of a nation coming together and caring about its people.”

2019