there are still people who give me hope

somewhere in the world is a woman i would like to thank. i've never met her, spoken with her, seen her, nor do i think i will ever know who she is.

on october 14, 2005 she was driving in riverside county, california on country village road just north of the 60 fwy. she saw a car pulled over to the side of the road and pulled over to see if anything was wrong.

let's think about that for a second. a car pulled over on the side of the road in southern california. would you pull over?

i wouldn't either.

but she did, and she found my dad after he'd called 911. he wasn't really able to speak clearly anymore, but she kept talking to him. she went to her car and got him a bottle of water and told him that she'd stay with him until help came. she talked to him, she sat with him on the side of the road until the paramedics came and took him to the hospital.

after calling 911, my dad had called my mom back to let him know he'd called for help. my mom asked him to leave the phone line open so the paramedics would be able to talk to her if they needed. they didn't - in fact my sister tried desperately to get the paramedics to find his phone by shouting to give them some information and find what hospital they were taking him to, but their siren was too loud.

but my sister and my mom got to hear this woman - this stranger - who just came to his aid at the time of his greatest need. she didn't effect a change in him physically, but in many ways, she provided comfort and aid to him, and to all of us.

i had forgotten about her until earlier tonight. i don't remember what made me think of her, but although i am feeling sad now and am crying like um, a girl, i'm really glad i did.