The Kindness of a Push

"I've been helped by acts of kindness from strangers.  That's why we're here, after all, to help others."

~ Carol Burnett

The community in which we live has a small town parade every year.  It includes a few homemade floats, a couple of marching bands, and residents in decorated cars and golf carts.  At today's parade, there was a beautiful white old car -- it reminded me of something out of the Great Gatsby era -- that suddenly had smoke coming out of its hood.  The car stalled and the man and woman who had been riding in it got out and began pushing.  In a matter of seconds, a group of parade spectators rushed to the car and helped to push it off to the side.

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During our Fourth of July parade as I watched people marching and dancing and talking and laughing, I could not help, but think -- and silently thank -- all those people whose bravery and kindness made and continue to make days like today possible for all of us. Happy Fourth of July!