It’s the day of our huge snow storm. I have just made an attempt to do an errand, I can’t do, since the wind practically lifts me off my feet.
Trudging home, holding on to things including a much obliging UPS man whose chivalry gets me across the street, there’s a man holding a little girl trying to get inside his snow-covered car.
“Will you hold my baby?”
“Excuse me?”
Next thing I know, I have a little bundle wrapped in white, wiggling in my arms as if to say, this is highly unusual, isn’t it.
I watch him scrape the windshield, shaving piles of snow off the trunk, after turning the heat on in what looks like a maroon Subaru, while this tiny being, good-naturedly stays patiently nestled.
“This is your first snow I’ll bet?” Striking up a conversation.
She cooed, as if to say, “Yeah, isn’t it something? If I had school, I wouldn’t have to go, right?”
As I’m penning my essay in my half frozen head, her tiny nose starts running. Oh dear. Need to do something, quick. No lady should have a runny nose in public, at least not where I come from.
I reach for a Starbucks napkin in my Barbour pocket, placing it on her nose, and like any good surrogate mom say, “blow,” which she sort of does, before breaking into a sunny smile.
“Thanks,” dad says, as he retrieves her from my arms.
“What’s her name?” I call out, but they were already safe and warm in their car, and didn’t hear me. 
SB
I’m stunned he handed her off to a stranger! Maybe it was his first snow too!
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He needed help. You should have seen the car. I was very charmed by it to be quite honest. Things are put in front of you for a reason. I truly believe this. I was able to help and I felt great after that.
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You look like an honest person and he saw that. You don’t hand off your most prized possession to just anyone no matter how froze your car is. You should feel great. You are a kind person.
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I didn’t feel it was odd. Stuff happens like this to me often. I feel self conscious now about the piece. It was just a random incident.
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Don’t feel self conscious! It’s a great story of people coming together during bad weather!
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It’s ok. I’m getting criticized right and left for being who I am. It’s disheartening.
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You are very nice – perhaps, almost too much so. Could’ve possibly (not likely) been dangerous.
Scott
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No.
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Very glad to hear that.
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There is nothing like the cold weather to bring out the community in people. Living in the interior of Alaska, frigid weather and storms are not uncommon. Many times strangers will help one another. We are so much better together!
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That’s how I see it but lately before this story, I’ve experienced much opposition to random acts of kindness. I don’t step up for any reason except for service. There’s a great pay off in that, to be needed. Receiving is in the giving, that’s truly all I know. Thanks for writing.
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Let’s call her Angel since she made you feel like you had saved her during her time of need.
Grace works well, too. Perhaps, she’s thinking of your kindness right now and saying, “There are kind people in the world.”
Isadora 😎
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She was like a little doll with no issues except a runny nose. Her dad needed help the same way I did crossing the windy street. I don’t see how it was neglectful on his part. I’m so glad I was there. That’s the trouble in our world. Help, received or given, has gotten a bad name. Makes me sad Isadora.
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You have one of those faces, Susannah……..People feel they can trust you and you will help……….
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My grandmother used to say,I looked like a holy picture. Sigh
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Now I want to hold a baby.
Humanity has good timing. Just when you think it went out on an endless smoke break, she comes busting through the snow-covered door to place a baby in the right loving hands. Well done!
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Short of a Bassett Hound puppy, she was straight from Lourdres.
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Hahahaha!
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You’re such an easy laugh. Warms me so.
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Obviously you helped the baby’s dad, but I’ll bet she was pleased with your meeting, too. She anchored you in a storm and helped keep your feet on the ground before you blew away like Mary Poppins. We all want to keep you well grounded.
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I took it as a hopeful sign of trust. People are wary of random acts of kindness. I was touched to be asked and grateful for whatever it is I possess, to have stopped.
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Not quite Captain Oates but still a helping hand in the white wilderness. Well done Susannah.
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Alright, who is Captain Oates. Must I Google him?
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Yes, sorry, I’m being dumb. Captain Lawrence E.G. Oates is a British folk hero. There is no reason why you should have heard of him. He was part of Captain Robert F. Scott’s ill-fated bid to be first to the South Pole in 1912. He realised his ill-health was slowing the team’s progress and sacrificed himself that they might live. They all perished anyway but it was a very brave act, nevertheless.
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You’re so smart. Even in jest, dumb can’t possibly apply.
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I wish! 😉
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Susannah, it is quite astonishing that he’d place his baby in a strangers arms. At least in NYC. Around this neck of the woods it’s almost common place, ha ha. On the other hand, you probably have an aura around you that send off ‘trustworthy’ vibes. I wonder where his honey was.
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They were unusual circumstances given the depth of the storm he clearly underestimated. I’m certain he would not have taken his kid out if he realized one, how buried his car was, and two…the wind factor. A guess. And who knows what his story is, or was that day. I’m just happy to have been there. Thanks.
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What a sweet story. You were there at the perfect time, like a helping angel. It always feels good to help out people in a small way, especially small people,
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Yes, she was quite small…like a doll in a snow suit…:)
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Sometimes you just make me smile and know there is real connection and humanity! Thanks for being you.
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Thank you Alva but sadly one’s humanity too often gets kicked in the teeth. However, to quote a rock star we know named Gandhi, we want to be the change we long to see. Thanks for reading.
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