A Story That's Not Newsworthy----Or is it?

This is a story that you definitely won't see on CNN, or in the newspapers. The media would deem it unimportant--not newsworthy. It is just a simple, feel-good story about two people helping someone in trouble. The "someone" in this story is me.

It was the last Sunday in May--on Interstate 70, some 35 or 40 miles east of Denver. My Greyhound bus had pulled into a roadside rest area to provide the driver an "emergency" rest stop. I also made a quick trip to the men's room, taking a little longerthan the driver, but no more than a minute or two at most. When I came out, the bus was already down the highway--getting smaller and smaller. I felt the ultimate fear and panic of most bus riders--I had been left behind. My first thought was, "Thank heaven, it's not January, when bitter winter winds whip across the highway". Yes, there's always something to be thankful for. Then, more serious thoughts took over. This park was not a regular rest stop, and the next bus through, which was seven hours away, would not be pulling into this somewhat secluded area. What little traffic existed was speeding by at 70 miles per hour and was not apt to stop for a hitchhiker. Anything I might need, including medication, was in my carry-on bag on the bus. I had four or five minutes to ponder my dilemma, before I welcomed the most beautiful RV I have ever seen into the rest area. It was one of those RVs that are as big as a bus and usually have a smaller vehicle in tow. This one had a jeep. I approached the RV, which I reckoned was there to give the occupants a few minutes to stretch their legs. Initially, I was understandably rebuffed as I attempted to explain my situation. Once given the opportunity to tell my story, however, I was invited inside the RV, which belongs to Mike and Kay Stokes, of Champaign, Illinois. They were on their way to Breckenridge, Colorado, and their route did not come close to downtown Denver, my destination. Bottom line, Mike and Kay went way out of their way to take me to Denver, and downtown to the Greyhound terminal. In the process of performing an act of kindness above and beyond, they made their arrival in Breckenridge much later than planned and incurred unexpected expense. Through it all, Mike and Kay never let me feel that I was inconveniencing them--which, of course, I was. I think that there is a message for all of us in what Mike and Kay did that day. There are a lot of wonderful people out there doing a lot of very nice things--proving that there is hope for this old world of ours. Isn't it nice to read a feel-good story that isn't newsworthy? But, then, maybe it is!