I've often been lucky enough to be the recipient of different generosities and kindnesses.
One that really sticks in my mind was about 16 years ago at the first Breyerfest. I flew in there late at night and our plane was delayed a lot longer than I thought. I had NO money on me and back then, we did not DO credit cards. I was 21 years old and it was after midnight at Lexington, KY airport, which is smaller than I expected. No ATM and I didn't have any means to pay for a cab or rent a car, etc. All was closed but the rent a car counter. My hotel reservation didn't start til the next night (I had figured I would go right to the Horse Park the next day).
So I asked a little at the Rent A Car booth and then decided I would walk in the direction I needed to go. Not the smartest thought I've ever had, but I had been informed that the Airport would be closing. I never imagined the airport would close, I just thought I would wait there overnight. *LOL*
As I was walking along the turnpike, a car pulled up and yeah, I was wary, but it was the lady from the Hertz booth. She told me I was looking to get "bopped over the head" or something like that by some fruitcake who might see me walking this late at night. So I got in w/her and she took me to her apartment and let me spend the night w/her. She asked me to call my parents (she thought I was a runaway) but I told her not only was I 21, but I was married and had a son who was staying w/my parents at home and they knew where I was, they had bought me the plane ticket for my bday.
She had the cutest accent and a big, fluffy (girl) cat named Regis. Her name was Michelle and she fed me breakfast, let me borrow a nightgown and have a shower and then she drove me the next morning to the Horse Park. I never did thank her as adequately as I wanted to, though I tried later to find her. Wanted to send her something as a surprise for being so kind and thoughtful.
More recently, on the night my husband rolled our new Super Duty and was arrested for DUI, the guy that towed the truck (who was a high school friend of my husband's) went above and beyond to help me deal with it all and took care of every minute detail. I wish I could put into words all that this guy did to take the sting out of the situation, especially given I was three months pregnant with my third son, and was far too emotional even for the circumstances. It was right before Christmas three years ago, and my parents were out visiting from PA for the first Xmas we would spend together as a family in 15 years. I never imagined how I might look back and actually be glad for that night for though I was already acquainted with Al, I never knew how great a guy he is. I consider him a great friend, and lucky at that. He did far more than his job, anyway, and even maybe risked his job to make sure things went well. I think we were on the phone for three or four hours that night no doubt w/me crying the majority of the time, and him going through every detail so I could have some reassurance about the process we were started into.
And I can never forget how kind and generous Crabby Chicken and her family have been with us. They let us stay in their house with them weekend after weekend for shows, and fix us meals, and give us the greatest thoughtful gifts. We are not a family that is easy to host, either, with our toddlers and general craziness. I hope I never take this for granted!
There are so many little kindnesses and generosities I am lucky enough to encounter, I hope I put my fair share and then some, back into the "system."
Liz M.
