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My mother has severe Alzheimer’s and lives in a care facility.

She had taken a turn for the worse, and I flew home from a vacation late Thursday. I spent Friday at her doctor’s office, Saturday in an emergency room with her and had just gone to bed Sunday evening when I received a call that she had fallen and broken her hip and was being taken to yet another emergency room.

I dressed and rushed out.

The air temperature in the emergency room cubicle was quite cold. Several hours later, as I sat there with my arms wrapped around myself for warmth, I was heartsick, jetlagged, exhausted and cold.

A custodian came in to mop the floor in the cubicle and noticed I seemed cold. He asked me if I would like a blanket, and I said that would be wonderful. A short time later, he returned with a heated blanket for me.

His act of kindness may not seem large, but to my cold, exhausted self, it was huge. He had noticed my situation and had taken time from his duties to remedy it.

Thank you, kind gentleman; the warm blanket heated not only my arms, but also my soul.

— Dinah Flippin, Greensboro

* * *

My car died at Friendly Avenue and Lindley. I called a friend who lives nearby, but I was unable to reach him. (He later called to check on me. Thanks, Donnie.)

I called my brother, and while I was waiting for him, several people offered cell phones or to help. Thank you all.

When my brother arrived, we determined that we couldn’t get the car safely off the road by ourselves.

Just then everything fell into place. Jen and her husband from Diego’s Cleaning Service stopped to help. Another young man showed up out of nowhere; I can’t remember his name. With all their help, we were able to get it off the road.

Jen offered the name of a tow-truck operator and garage.

Thank you all for being good Samaritans. I know all of you will be rewarded several times over for your kindness.

— Wayne Stephens, Greensboro