Mark is a friend of my son, Scott. He lives in the Parry Sound area and specifically drove to New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy hit. He simply knocked on their door”HOW CAN I HELP?” were the first words he uttered. Then he proceeded to help my son and his wife move furniture for the entire day.(the flooding had reached the second floor of their home).
This same fellow picked me up at Richard’s Coffee(Parry Sound) when I returned on the Ontario Northland Bus and drove me on a cold winter’s night, to my cottage nestled at the top of a cliff-like driveway on Stormy Point Road. When he placed my suitcase beside 5 pairs of skates, in the trunk of his car, I asked Whatès this all aboutÉÈ He said that the family goes skating regularly at the Mckellar rink.
I noted the sound of silence, the snow softly falling as we drove the undulating McDougall Road towards Manitouwabing’s waters edge.
He told me a story.
“Ya know Susan, I hate eating alone and I travel extensively, so this one day I drive into a roadside restaurant in Wisconsin, and watch as an elderly woman does a pretty poor job parking beside me. I make a few phone calls, go into the diner, order my grub and as I pick up my tray, I see this person sitting alone.”May I sit with you, I just do not like eating alone”. Well, she was an alert woman, (not reflecting her driving) skills) and an engaging dialogue ensued. She had many interesting historical events that she(86 years old) and her late husband had been involved in.
” During the course of our meal a meticulously dressed man, stopped, & offered me his business card and asked if I would call him after I finished this lunch.
His card indicated that he was president of some company and when I got back in my car I called the # that he had given me.
“I just wanted you to know that I, although at another table, listened to the entire conversation.
I wanted you to know that IT changed my life, in a way, IT made me want to change my life, to SHare more, be more connected, to CARe more. I just wanted you to know that someone’s actions can effect another perosn, in a very positive way and THank You.”
So that is my New Years Story for you, my Friends and Family…love Susan
2012thislandisyourlandseatosea 