It was New Year's Day and I had just arrived back in the country after spending
almost a month in the warm mountain valley of a large Mexican city. I had gone
to spend Christmas with my husband who was teaching anthropology, in the city of
Oaxaca.
What a change to be back in the central part of Alberta, just in time to see the
cold winds of winter bring in a colder front.
I work part time for an agency that provides support to adults who have mental
disabilities and I was scheduled to be at work on New Year's Day at 9:00 am. I
got up at 7:00 that morning and glanced outside, forgetting that at that time of
day there would be little light to allow me to judge the weather conditions. I
stepped outside and the warmth of Chinook winds assured me we were in for a good
day. I checked our huge bird feeder then returned indoors to finish getting
ready for work. Feeling secure I did not bother to retrieve my winter gloves
from the van, which Shawn, my husband usually drove.
It felt so good to be back in Canada. I was born in the province of Alberta and
I loved our change of seasons. I enjoyed seeing the countryside covered in hoar
frost and I often felt like a princess in a beautiful and special land. Each
year it was exciting to note the signs of spring and I loved driving back and
forth to work over the graveled country roads in the fall to see the mutli
colors of the farmers fields and take in the beauty of our tiny valley.
My first day back at work went well and as night approached I remembered that
the car needed gas. By 8:00 that night it felt a lot colder out as I rushed to
the car to complete a few errands. One of the ladies I worked with was with me
and we had agreed on picking up a video to watch. When the errands were done we
headed for the only gas station that was open. I didn't want to use that
particular station because you had to pump your own gas and by now I was well
aware that the temperature was quickly dropping, a light wind was picking up and
I did not have my gloves.
I drive a Cavalier. It is a great little car, but I always have a problem in
getting the gas cap off, just another reason for using the stations that still
have gas jockeys. And the truth of the matter is I always enjoy the friendliness
at these stations!
By the time I had managed to get the gas cap off my hands woke up, felt the cold
and begged to go indoors! Since I had no gloves with me, I thought I could put
my hand in my pocket and squeeze the gas handle through my coat. This of course
meant that I had to press up against the car in an awkward position. I knew I
looked peculiar and I glanced around to see a member of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police force looking at me strangely. He was on the other side of the
pumps and had just pulled in to fill his gas tank.
I felt I should provide an explanation. "I know I look silly, but my hands are
so cold and I thought if I put my hands in my pocket I could use my coat for
protection. BUT, that means I have to stand in this awkward position."
For a moment, he said nothing. He probably thinks I'm a real nut case, I thought
to myself. Then I heard a voice and saw a pair of gloves sticking out beyond his
gas pump. "Could you use a pair of gloves?"
I shut off the pump and walked over to the extended brown leather "life savers".
"Oh yes please." I replied, taking the offering and slipping my hands into their
welcome warmth.
I went back and returned to filling my tank. Then I leaned over, still holding
the handle and noticed that the officer was pumping gas with nothing to protect
his hands from the cold. Then it hit me. The gloves I wore were not a spare pair
that he had. He had given up the warmth to help me.
I felt grateful, embarrassed, then worried. "But you need something for your
hands too, " I said.
"Oh, I get used to it," he responded. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
In minutes my tank was full and I thanked him, returned his gloves and went in
to pay for my purchase. I felt so elated. I had just been the recipient of
goodness! I was overwhelmed by good feelings and as soon as the gentleman came
in I smiled at him and told him I sure owed him a hot cup of coffee or
something.
He stood there and told me it was his pleasure and I knew he meant it. Yes, the
gift was small yet to me the gesture was full of goodness. No life had been
saved and nothing earth shattering took place, but the goodness of another human
being surely touched my life that night. How wonderful the thoughtfulness of one
Alberta R.C.M.P. officer.
What a lovely welcome back to the country I loved. By Ellie Braun-Haley
shaley@telusplanet.net
Ellie is the editor of two web sites for uplifting stories. Angels On Earth at
http://www.eaglecreek.org/angel
and For Goodness Sake at
http://www.eaglecreek.org She and her husband Shawn have just completed
writing a book on Spouse abuse for an American publisher out of New York. Ellie
lives in Alberta, and teaches students at a school for children with
disabilities. Some of her books can be found at Eagle Creek Publishers
http://www.eaglecreek.org
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