Earlier this week, a person posted on my local Freecycle board looking for 3-ring binders. Perfect, I thought. I had two boxes full of empty binders that I had used to store files that were now empty (see HERE) and ready to go to a new home. I happily responded that I had two boxes of binders that I would be glad to give away, and we set a pickup time.

I put the boxes of binders out in front of my house, and figured that would be the end of it. Freecycle pickups generally go smoothly: people show up more or less when they say they will and the items are then gone.

However, this wouldn’t be much of a story if that was the end of it. Instead, this time, the pickup did not go as planned.

While the lady was pulling up to our house to pick up the binders, she backed one of her rear wheels over the edge of our driveway – which drops sharply on both sides – and ended up with her car precariously suspended in the air while resting on the retaining wall that holds our driveway in place. Needless to say, her car was stuck (and she was fortunate to get out without the car rolling over!).

So my husband invited her inside to use our phone as most cell phones get no coverage at our mountain home. She made her calls, including one to AAA, who told her it would take 1-1.5 hours for them to send someone to help.

My boys quickly befriended her, and she kindly watched as they demonstrated their running, jumping, and bike riding abilities while she waited, glass of water in hand, on our front porch swing. She was an elementary school teacher, and engaged patiently with them.

When we were ready to sit down to dinner (my husband grilled burgers and zucchini while I sautéed mushrooms and cut up avocado slices), we invited her in to join us. She accepted and we made room for one more at our dinner table.

Finally, the tow truck came. It took two attempts, but he was able to lift her car back onto the driveway, and she was able to get in and drive away.

The event was a bit exciting and definitely unexpected. It gave us a chance to practice hospitality to a stranger, and to help someone who needed support. It made me thankful that we were home when it happened, and that we had enough space in our schedule that we could stop and assist someone. It allowed my husband and me to model generosity and kindness to our boys. And it allowed us to sprinkle a little bit of kindness back into the world; reminding everyone involved that the world is full of good people who are willing to help if you need it.

How do you respond when something unexpected happens in your life?  How would you respond if someone got stuck in your yard?