by James Schrader
New York, USA
In 1974, my college roommates Steve, Craig, and I drove from upstate New York to Yonkers to take Steve home for spring break. Returning, Craig and I took toll-free roads to conserve funds.
Sunday evening we got $5.00 worth of gas on a side road, saving 35 cents between us for an upcoming toll road. A mile later, we heard a terrible grinding noise under the car, the brakes quit, and we rolled to a stop on a dark, deserted back road. The axle had separated.
With little traffic, we decided to flag down the next car and ask for help. When a car came, we stood in the roadway. After we explained our problem to the husband and wife who stopped, Craig went with them to find help while I stayed with the car. Soon a trooper stopped, put up flares, and radioed for a tow truck. Even though Craig had gone for help, the tropper said we had to move the car as soon as possible for safety. Half an hour later, a tow truck arrived — and Craig was riding with the driver!
By 10:30 p.m., the tow truck driver had us at his garage. We said we’d sleep in our station wagon, but he’d have none of that, and brought us to a small trailer by his house. He gave us blankets and pillows for the night.
The next morning, we woke to a knock. When I opened the door, a woman introduced herself as the tow truck driver’s wife. She brought us into her home, gave us juice and eggs, and said her husband had gone to work on the car two hours earlier. She drove us to the station, where we thanked her over and over.
We learned the bill would be $65.00. We had no credit cards and no way of getting money other than our parents driving down — and they were at work.
The couple we’d flagged down had given Craig a number to call if we needed anything. So we called, and the husband gave us a restaurant address, saying, “Come by, I’ll see what I can do.” With the car fixed late that morning, Craig stayed behind as security while I drove to the small roadside diner.
I asked for the owner. We sat, and I described our predicament. He asked what I had for collateral. I had 35 cents, my license, and the car registration. He said the registration was enough, opened the cash register, and handed me $65.00!
After thanking him many times, I picked up Craig, paid the bill, and we drove home. My mom sent a check immediately, and the registration arrived by mail a few days later.
Though time has erased their names, I’ve never forgotten how those people helped us. Since then I’ve always helped people in tight spots and never been disappointed. I’m still trying to give back to others what I got a long time ago.
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This is a wonderful story of many people going “above and beyond” to help others. But, for me, the best part is that the author learned the lesson at a relatively young age and has carried on to help others. I suspect that that is the greatest way he can honor those who helped him and his roommates.
Thanks for the life example, James.