[redwitch]

Veronica, here's some personal examples of how we help each other.

I was riding my scooter and got a flat tire. A bicyclist stopped and offered to help. I explained I had a flat and no way to fix it and my phone was dead (stupid me). He rode to Sweet Bay, bought a can of Fix-It Flat, came back and fixed the flat for me. He refused to even take any money for the product (and then gave me the can, "Just in case!").

My daughter's clutch went out in her car. A landscaper stopped and helped her so that she could drive it to a mechanic to get it fixed.

One of my dearest friends was dying from congestive heart failure. Her game group rallied around her, visited her every day at the hospital, at rehab and at home until her daughter came to take her to stay with her until she died. She made one comment that broke my heart, "I didn't know so many people loved me." The reality is we did care, tremendously, and were glad to be there for her.

Yesterday, I couldn't reach my friend who was supposed to come to Crisper's but didn't. When she didn't answer either her home or cell phone, I rushed (with another friend who didn't even know her) to her home. Fortunately, all was well. Today, we're taking the friend who came with me to the airport so that she doesn't have to take the shuttle.

This is the heart of TV -- not the developer, not the homes, not the activities, the people, the caring, the kindness. Strangers help strangers. Acquaintances jump in when needed. Friends are the family that isn't here.