Letters to the Editor

News Virginian
Published: March 18, 2008

Gratitude for a caring community

Several days ago, while picking up the soggy contents from my purse, which had dumped onto the floor of my car just seconds before my coffee followed, I fumed and grumbled at the school bus driver who had cut me off.

"I'm going to write a scathing letter to the editor about inconsiderate drivers," I told myself.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the only times that I ever took a notion to write a letter was when something bad happened.

There is not enough mention of all the good stuff that takes place around us everyday, such as:

* I have never once witnessed a funeral procession in Waynesboro where every single car on the road did not pull off to the side, as a sign of respect.

While attending my grandmother's funeral in another town, I found this act of respect is not practiced everywhere. While attending the funeral of one of my son's young classmates a few years ago, not only did every single car that we passed pull over to the side of the road, but there was a policeman in full dress uniform at every intersection, standing at attention, with white gloves, and saluting.

* While taking my son to school last spring, I noticed two separate incidents where a police car was parked behind a motorist along the side of the road. Police were helping out people with car trouble.

* Having a back disease and also suffering other disabilities from a car accident, I am usually in quite a lot of pain as I walk the aisles at Kroger on Arch Avenue. I have often been the recipient of help at the store - especially from one young gentleman who carries out and puts the groceries in the car. One evening, while waiting in the checkout line, I was behind an older lady who was having problems lifting her items out of the cart. Without being asked, a young lady who was bagging groceries cheerfully unloaded her cart for her. Next, she was having trouble writing her check. The cashier helped her in such a polite and respectful way, as to not make her feel self-conscious.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, I spotted her heading toward the apartments across from the police department. A Kroger employee was with her, pushing her cart full of groceries. It made me feel very grateful that I live in a town where people are so caring toward each other.

Hilary Jeffers

Waynesboro