acts of kindness

[slngsht]

a couple of years ago, on the last trip before I ripped the Rotus apart, I was about 15 minutes from my destination in the mountains (250 mile drive) when the car started overheating. I pulled over in the middle nowhere and discovered my radiator had sprung a leak.

 

A few minutes later, a state trooper came by, but simply passed by :nonod:.

 

A couple of minutes after that, a guy in a pickup pulled over and offered help if I followed him to his farm - I did, and he gave me some bottles of water, filled the radiator, and lent me a screwdriver for removing the nose. He told me to keep the screwdriver in case i needed to take the nose off again and add water.

 

I had NOTHING on me - the only thing I had was a copy of the Automobile magazine that covered the 7/7/7. I apologized for being empty handed and handed it to his son, who looked to be about 10. A couple of minutes later the kid's eyes lit up when he realized the car was in the magazine.

 

Anyway, I left there, and on the way back a couple of days later, I could not locate the side road the guy was on.

 

Moral of the story is that every time I see that screwdriver, it reminds me of the help a stranger offered - not expecting anything in return. I was using it tonight and it reminded me of that day and his help.

[RGTorque]

nice story, i think i feel a tear comin on

[Hank]

After I got past the fact there wasn't a punch line I realized this was a damn fine story. We need more people like that old man in this world. I think if he saw what you did with your latest creation he might ask for his screwdriver back.

[slngsht]

after i got past the fact there wasn't a punch line i realized this was a damn fine story. We need more people like that old man in this world. I think if he saw what you did with your latest creation he might ask for his screwdriver back.

rofl

[MHKflyer52]

Great story Mazda and a great memory to boot.....One you will always remember.

[Kitcat]

Great story! I especially like the reciprocal act of kindness: I would only grudgingly give up my copy of Automobile Magazine showing all of the Sevens lined up, including mine, at the 50th 7's bash 2 years ago.

 

Reminds me of: "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers," a line from Tennessee Williams, Streetcar named Desire. A line I always fall back on when caught completely unprepared for some jackpot I've gotten myself into.

[Davemk1]

A number of years ago before I owned a Seven my pride and joy was a 1966 Lotus Cortina. It was a cold Thanksgiving day and the roads were dry and the skies clear so I took the Cortina out for a drive. I was passing through the very small village of Churchill Montana when there was a big mechanical noise from the engine and then it suddenly died.

 

I coasted over to the side of the road and there was a gentleman out raking leaves in his yard and I went to talk to him to see if I could use his phone to try to get a tow truck. He was polite but a bit suspicious looking. We talked for a bit and he warmed up and let me into his house to use the phone. I called the towing company and they would get someone out to me in a few hours.

 

I went back out and help the homeowner with his leaves. We finished up and he invited me inside and the whole family was there watching a game on TV. I was welcomed in and given a soda and a seat to watch the game.

 

The phone rang and then the guy says "OK...... it's time to go to Grandma's" and the entire family gets up and heads to the door. I of course get up and the guy says that they are going to his mother's for Thanksgiving dinner but that I can stay here and watch the game and stay warm while waiting for the tow truck. It was very cold outside so I awkwardly took him up on his offer and the family left me in their home alone and went to Grandma's house. I couldn't believe they would leave me alone in their home but I was grateful.

 

The tow truck arrived about an hour later and before I left I made sure to write down their address and later sent them a thank you card. I'd guess they thought it odd that I sent a card and wondered what the big deal was. It was a big deal to me.

 

There really are good people out there.

 

Keep that screwdriver. It's more than a tool now.

 

 

Dave