Sue Bruns, Bemidji, Minn.

Thank you to the Robinwood good neighbors! 

Last weekend I visited Minot to stay at my daughter and son-in-law’s house and take care of my grandson while his parents were out of town. While his other grandma stayed with our grandson, I ventured out on a cold afternoon to pick up a few items at Target. On my way back, just a block from my daughter’s home, I took a corner on the icy road and skidded into a snowbank. By the time I got out to assess the situation, one neighbor had already come to my aid, shovel in hand. My CRV, even with all wheel drive, was stuck, icy chunks of snow packed under the front bumper. 

“I almost didn’t make this corner earlier today,” the neighbor said and attempted to push me out. But shoveling was required. He worked at it for several minutes while I scooped snow with my hands. Then he apologized several times for not being able to stay, as he was on his way to an appointment. 

“No problem,” I said. “It’s not stuck badly. If I can just borrow your shovel, I’ll leave it at your house when I’m done.” Before he left, another neighbor had already stopped to help. Her husband would be home soon, she said, and they could help. 

“No problem,” I said. “I’m just going to walk to my daughter’s (a block away) and get my boots.”

“I’ll give you a ride,” she said. After I got my boots and came back out, I saw the woman waiting in the driveway, ready to give me a ride back. 

“Someone else stopped by your car and is digging it out,” she said. 

Sure enough! A young man in a white pickup with a snowplow on the front had pulled over and was shoveling enthusiastically to get at the packed snow under my car. 

“I had to dig mine out this morning,” he said, as if to let me know he was nicely warmed up for this task. 

In a short time, the snow was cleared enough to give it a try and the two neighbors pushed my car free. I thanked them heartily and the woman offered to take the shovel back to the first neighbor’s house.

In a world of division, it’s nice to be reminded that many people today are still there to lend a hand. Thanks again to the helpful and kind good neighbors of Robinwood who stopped to help me on a cold winter day.