One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing
on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm.
Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking
wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those
conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get
assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry.
She wrote down his address, thanked him, and drove away.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise,
a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was
attached. It read:
Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the
other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then
you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's
bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and
unselfishly serving others.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.
