Good friend on a windy day

I had been out for lunch at the Tavern on Pembina Highway. On my way home, I was fine until I turned the corner of the building and a gust of wind hit me.

I leaned against the building and put my hand on the trunks of the cars as I passed each one. When I got to the fourth car, a gust came and I went between the cars and pressed my body on the sides of the cars.

I came out from the parked cars and a gust blew me backwards, and I smashed into a van, fell to the ground, tried to stand up but couldn’t. I crawled on my hands and knees, pulled myself up hanging onto the bumpers and the trunks of the cars. I made my way down the cars until I reached the last one, leaned on it for a short time, saw before me a large tree and a metal pole. I chose the pole because it was closest. I was nearing the pole when the gusts started up again. I made it to the pole and clung to it with both hands.

A man coming from the strip mall saw me, came toward me and asked if I was in trouble. I said I thought that I was. He asked what he could do for me. I said, "Could you take my arm and help me?"

He took my arm, put his hand over mine, held me close and walked me all the way to my condo. I thanked him for his kindness, when we parted, squeezed hands, and I told him to be careful going back. He waited for me to enter my lobby and then left.

I will never forget him and how he reached out to help.

— Lillian Robertson