By Bill Rusteberg
It was a rare and memorable experience. Two travelers, strangers, whose paths crossed in an instant, sharing something special together.
Traveling south between Goliad and Refugio Texas early this morning I noticed a pickup truck a mile or so ahead pull off the road by a ranch gate. As I passed I saw the driver had opened his door and appeared to be in distress but I wasn’t sure. I kept driving, arguing with myself whether I should turn around to check on him.
I was traveling to a business meeting and I didn’t want to be late. But something pulled at me. Something told me I had to turn around and go back.
So I did. “Are you Ok?” I asked. The fellow was an older guy like me. “Yes. I was having a problem but I’m OK now. It’s allergies or something. Thanks for stopping.”
I continued my journey south. As I reached Refugio I pulled over to get gas. Without noticing, the fellow pulled up behind me and approached and grabbed my hands. “I want to thank you for stopping” he said. I really appreciate it. There are not too many people anymore that would have done that.”
“I’m 66 years old and still working.” he continued. “My job requires a lot of travel. I’m from Bastrop, where are you from?” We had a nice, but short visit and off he went.
That’s Texas friendliness, something that if it could be canned and sold it would improve the political landscape of the entire country overnight.
It was a rare and memorable experience. Two travelers, strangers, whose paths crossed in an instant, sharing something special together.
