DEAR EDITOR:
On Sunday morning, I went through the drive-through at Dunkin-Donuts on Elm Road for my usual large coffee and breakfast sandwich. When it was my turn at the window, I was told that a man in a red Ford Fiesta in front of me had paid for my coffee and sandwich. I have no idea who this kind stranger was and did not recognize the car.
As I traveled down Elm Road, I saw what I believed to be the car turn onto a side street that led to the Believer's Christian Fellowship Church. Because of traffic I was unable to follow to offer my thanks, but I immediately understood that this anonymous person was practicing his faith, and in a random act of kindness to me, a complete stranger, made an impression on me that will never be forgotten. This experience reminded me that I should endeavor to do likewise.
As our community and nation enter these last weeks before the election, I sense that if we all kept in mind what one stranger did for another, and how each of us might do the same, our focus can be on saying and doing positive things and giving deference to each other's views as we exercise of our fundamental right and obligation to vote for those we believe share our values, and believe in those random acts of kindness, regardless of politics.
Randi Rudloff
Cortland