Dear Editor,
I wish to publicly recognize and applaud the kindness demonstrated to me on Thursday 4th April at approximately 5 p.m. outside Michael’s No Frills in Langley City. I am elderly and am most grateful for the concern shown me.
I tripped over the curb at the store’s entrance and fell down heavily. A number of young men, possibly about to pick up items on their way home from work, immediately came to my side and alerted associates inside the store. I was badly shaken and quite embarrassed. A chair was brought out from the store by one associate for me to sit on while another kindly reassured me that I was in good hands.
The injuries were scattered over my body. My nose was profusely bleeding, through my mask and coursing down my overcoat. I had to tweak my nose for some time before it stopped.
My knees and palms were badly scraped and very painful. The two associates began to problem solve, politely asking me where I lived and whether there was a family member that could be called.
It was then that I realized that the fall had smashed and totally damaged my cell phone which was in my pocket. We agreed that it was lucky that it was the cell phone that was broken and not my hip.
One of the associates, Qadir Hamid, lent me his phone so I could alert my son. He was concerned that it might be some time before my son could arrive as he was some distance away. He asked me if I wanted to go inside the store, but I preferred to remain outside and he accepted that decision. The other associate, Abby Sotomski, gently directed me so I could try to clean up some of the blood from my face, neck and clothing with Handi Wipes that I had in my bag. There was no way I wanted my son to see me in such a condition.
While we were waiting for my son to arrive (in fact, both sons appeared from different directions) these two young people chatted gently to me and put me at my ease. I later wondered, as I have some first-aid knowledge, if they were also checking that I hadn’t concussion. As I was being reunited with my sons, a number of the shoppers who had seen me fall, were leaving the store with their items. They, too, wished me well.
I cannot express strongly enough my appreciation for the kindness, care and courtesy those two associates gave me. I am also astonished by the shoppers who took the time to speak to me again as I left the forecourt. I can only be thankful that the people of Langley City still demonstrate the warmth I had begun to imagine was missing from this world we live in with all its bustle and hype.
Ruth E. Stewart, Brookswood
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