Christmas arrives a bit early this year

Christmas came early for me this year. Sometimes I am way into the season before the spirit of giving and sharing consumes me.

In late November on a Sunday afternoon, however, my wife and I had decided to drive to a small farm that we have in the country. We left our home about mid-afternoon and during the 45-minute trip we enjoyed the beauty of the fall foliage in the fields along the highway.

Our transportation--and ancient forbear of O.J. Simpson's vehicle--is what we call our "farm and ranch car." Never mind that it needs a paint job and new upholstery. We overlook its wear and tear and say we won't have to worry about scratches and dents as we love to drive through the brush at the farm and jump into the car with muddy shoes and clothes. We haven't even given too much concern to the fact that mechanical failures are more likely to occur in this well-traveled carriage. But on that point my story will begin.

We arrived at the farm about an hour before sunset, intending to take a walk and enjoy the scenery. We parked in a pasture as there is no house on the property and the nearest neighbor is a couple of miles away. After a short walk, we decided to move the car further into the pasture. But the only sound that emanated when I activated the ignition switch was a "click-click-click." We diagnosed the problem as a dead battery and realized that we needed swift action as darkness and a chill in the air were rapidly approaching. A hasty exit--actually a run--to the nearest farm house was not the answer as no one was at home.

Fortunately, technology assisted us at this point as I had a portable cellular phone in my pocket. We have made the acquaintance of several farmers and ranchers in the vicinity and one quickly volunteered to help. Our disappointment mounted, though, as his attempts to jump start the car failed. Our battery diagnosis was not accurate.

The Good Samaritan offered to take us to his home so that I could telephone my son to come for us. This solution was somewhat premature also as my daughter who does not drive answered the phone to say that her brother had called and would not return from his out of town trip for another three hours.

Good fortune was our, however, as the rancher's son and his friend offered to let us ride into town with them on their way to a social event. Before we left, they gave us the phone number of another neighbor who is a retired mechanic. Safely home the next day, I called him and learned that he had already been over to check the car and agreed to repair it for a very reasonable amount.

Since that day my wife and I have discussed on numerous occasions how fortunate and grateful we are to those who helped us. The generosity, warmth, and kindness displayed by them remind us of the spirit of Christmas. And I hope that this story serves to remind us to give to others throughout the year, to interrupt our lives to come to the rescue of those needing assistance, and especially to those less fortunate than we are.

Thanks again to the folks in Bosque County. Your kindness to the LeCrone family was indeed an early Christmas gift.

Copyright c 1994 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.