Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Unexpected Hospitality When We Were Stranded


--by swapnagupta443, posted Mar 14, 2018
Many years ago, when we first went to Canada, we were driving through Montana to Colorado with our two children, then ages 8 and 11. We thought we would find a motel on the way and had not made a booking. As it was getting late we started looking for a motel, only to find out that it was rodeo time in that part of the country, and all the motels were booked.

Finally, around 9PM, we stopped at a gas station to fill up on gas. My husband asked for a phone book and told the woman at the counter that we were trying to find a motel. She told us it would be impossible. He tried for 15 more minutes. When he was unsuccessful, the woman, Linda, said she and her family lived nearby and would be happy if we spent the night at her home.

My husband was stunned at her offer of hospitality and said we had two kids sleeping in the car. She called her son to direct us, since she had to hold fort at the gas station til midnight. It was pitch dark and soon a pick-up truck arrived and we followed it.

When we reached their mobile home, her husband greeted us. He took out two sleeping bags for the children. He invited us to have coffee and chat while we waited for his wife. She came past 12am. We asked if we could slip away in the morning so as not to disturb them. They said we were now guests and we would have to have breakfast with them.

Next morning, we woke up to a table set for breakfast. Around the table were many of their family & friends. They'd made a mountain of pancakes and bacon. Linda sent her the son to get fresh milk from the neighbour's farm. We ate breakfast, and when we were leaving, my husband asked if he could offer some payment.

They would not hear of it and insisted we were their guests. We left humbled by their spirit of hospitality. We were amazed that they would take in a family of total strangers from a different country. We kept in touch for many years, and invited them to our home also. Over the years, we lost touch, but have never forgotten their kindness.
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Readers Comments

kalaa wrote: What a heartwarming story! Thanks for sharing.
sadhana wrote: There is still humaneness in many people despite the selfishness consisting of i and mine. Thanks for sharing this.
healingtree wrote: So life affirming and enocuraging.
autumnsky38 wrote: OH that warms my heart so much!!
kjoyw wrote: Such a wonderful, heartwarming story about the power of human kindness! Thank you for sharing this.
Annc wrote: We had a similar experience in Sturgis, SD when we happened to be in town at the same time as the motorcycle rally. People can be so kind!
mindyjourney wrote: You just never forget a kindness like that :). Beautiful memory of being helped while in need. Thank you for sharing it with us!
mish wrote: Wow. Wonderful & WOW! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
lt33 wrote: That's amazing such kindness shared by strangers thanks for sharing 💜😃
leoladyc728 wrote: what a fantastic connection

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