The Kindness of Long-Ago Wrapping Help

"We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know."

~ W.H. Auden

I recently was having dinner with my mother when we ran into an old friend.  A very amiable gentleman, he came to our table to say hello.  After he left, my mother mentioned that she still remembers -- and appreciates -- his gift wrapping help many years ago.  Close to Christmas time, he had been visiting at our house while my mother was wrapping gifts.  I went to sleep, but my friend stayed with my mother until 2 or 3 am helping her to wrap presents.  It was nearly 30 years ago, but my mother still recalls his kindness fondly.