Neighborly – Like Leonard Goss

I was having a rough day today so I was pleased that Laura showed up at the office with the kids to give me a ride home. Not two blocks from work we turned a corner, hit the gutter, and one of our tires blew out. Little did we know that we were right in front of the home of Leonard Goss and family. Mrs. Goss saw us emptying the trunk to start changing the tire and volunteered her husband to help me out.

Leonard came over and cheerfully offered his energy, experience, and tools (which were nicer than the little jack and lug wrench that were in the back of my van). He didn’t just help me put on the spare tire, he looked at his watch and suggested that we take his car to the tire store before they closed in 15 minutes to get the tire fixed. While Leonard was helping me, his family was playing host to my family in their yard, letting my girls play on their trampoline and helping Laura make a bottle for Isaac.

What could have been an added strain on an already wearisome day turned out to be a very pleasant hour. As we thanked Leonard and his family for their help he responded with, “that’s what we’re supposed to do right, help each other out?”

Of course he’s right, that’s what neighbors are for (even the ones who live over a mile away whom you’ve never met before), but he went beyond helping and completely turned our predicament around. I hope I can be as helpful when I see someone in need.

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