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Show I wirn 1 DGKaks Undny Andanon wanted nothing back far liar $1 Feeling like a millionand When American Profile asked readers to tell us we were flooded about acts of kindness both given and received with stories of unselfish examples of the generous human spirit. Shirley R. Johnson of Waxahatchie, Texas, anonymously arranged for a free tank of gas; Martha Stabys 62nd young friend to get a wedding anniversary celebration became extra special when someone paid for much-neede- d, the Loveland, Colo., couples restaurant meal and slipped out before they could say thank you; Patricia Jager of Chevy Chase, Md., and her husband would have missed an ocean cruise had a young stranger not carried their luggage through the airport so they could catch a flight to their ship. Many of the stories we received occurred decades ago, yet whether the act of kindness was profound or simple, the receiver never forgot it. Robert Devlins door harp is musical medicine to Sharon Vandegrift. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, Lindsay Anderson in a great mood, so the Streatot, III, teenager decided to wash her At the car wash, I noticed a man and a woman looking foi spare change, picking up every coin that they could find When I finished washing my car, I drove to the other side a the lot to dry it off," she says. She wanted to help, but she didn't want to embarrass the couple I knew that I had extra dimes and nickels in my change purse When the man and woman were on the opposite side of the lot, took $1 in change and left it on top of the coin box in the bay where I had washed my car. I knew that they would find it soon. The amount wasnt much, but to a teen it can be and to the couple it could have meant all the difference. I kept on drying my car as if I didnt know what they were look ing for, Anderson says. It made me feel like a really great person to help someone in need. I hope that it made their hunt for loose change a little easier. art Healing A year after Robert Devlin of Canton, N.C., retired in December 1989, his daughter, Lis mother of three small children, learned she has multiple sclerosis. "It just floored us, but with tf help of the good Lord, we are still making it. She still is able to hold her job in the receiving offic of a large hardware chain, Devlin says. His daughters circumstances moved Devlin to act. He wanted other MS patients to knot "somebody (is) thinking about them, he says. Now, every young woman he meets who has MS gets a handmade Appalachian doc harp a stringed musical instrument that hangs on a door, and when the door is openec hanging balls strike the strings to make music, much like chimes. I dont hunt for people; I just run across them, Devlin says. So far, weve give 14. 1 hope I can continue to do it as long as Im able. Mr. Bicycle Man When C.M. Rust of McMinnville, Tenn., who repairs and sells used bicycles gave away one of his prettiest a red boys bike he found that i brought more return than he could have imagined. One December day about 15 years ago, a friend called to tell him of a family wh faced a bleak Christmas because the farher was out of work due to an injury. Thei little son is riding a bike with no tires, and the spokes are loose in both wheels. you can, would you please help him? the friend asked. 20-in- |
