My two boys and I were visiting the Kootenays area during the week of April 22 to celebrate my older son's 16th birthday as well as my first year of being cancer-free, and we were excited about a holiday and much-needed break from routines.
Our car window was smashed and our possessions stolen from the trunk.
This is when the story gets real good.
A chain reaction of love, compassion and kindness unfolds.
We are all faced with challenges in our lives.
They are the biggest learning experiences.
So, you are wondering what we learned?
That there are way more helpers than bad guys.
We choose to focus on the helpers:
Matt - From Vernon told us about our car and then he loaned us $100 to get home.
Chris – Gave us his phone number and told us to call if needed.
A girl (I didn't get her name in my confused state) gave us $30 that was left over from her income tax return.
911 operator who directed us to go to the police station in Invermere.
A waitress at Canal Flats who gave us directions.
A firefighter who directed us to the police station, listened to me and sent me on my way with a hug.
Cheryl and an officer who assisted us with the police report.
Home Hardware in Invermere for supplies to cover my window for our trip back to Alberta.
Vince Zurbriggen – for helping us cover the window with a good plastic and tape because he saw us struggling to cover the window with a crappy piece of plastic. He must have paid for the plastic too. Beautiful man.
Gene Wieganil – another beautiful man who loaned us $50 and calmed me with his conversation.
My Facebook friends who were there with kind words and loving thoughts. Shari posted, “Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them but you know they are always there.” Brian Benson posted, “Behind every fear there is a miracle waiting” ~ Marianne Williamson.
Close friends and family who texted support, love and encouragement.
Mountain View Credit Union (especially Crystal and Joy) – Closed out my account and got me set up with a new one AND Joy gave me a Nutribar and water when I told her that I had missed lunch.
The girl who helped me cancel my credit card and is sending a new one in the mail.
The squirrel for stopping us in our tracks to admire him as we watched him eat a peanut.
Our kitty who loved us to pieces when we returned home.
Physical and non-physical angels of all kind.
Leanne at Double 2 Body Shop
Verla at Sunset Glass.
Sue at the registry office for her patience as I got my driver's licence and birth certificates ordered.
Oh ya, and when scary things happen…..look for the kind hearts and hands of the helpers. It makes things feel so much better.
Thank you for reading my thoughts and may your heart be full of love, compassion and kindness today and every day.
Carol Taylor
Olds
