Hope in a World Full of Strangers

Yesterday I had a flight booked to go from Columbia to Orlando to visit my 85 year old grandfather. It was scheduled to get in at 9:45pm which was already late and I felt uncomfortable with him driving to pick me up, but he insisted. As I sat at the airport waiting to board my plane we were notified that the plane was running late and we would not take off until closer to 9:30 (1 hr after we were scheduled). Now I was stuck with the dilemma of what to do as far as getting from the Orlando airport and home to Grampie's. I knew full well that if I told him it was late he would still come and get me but I did not want him up and driving that distance, that late. After some debate I decided to lie to him saying I had a friend coming to pick me up from the airport and he shouldn't worry about driving to get me. Truth be told at the time there was no such "friend." I called local cab companies and they estimated a $50+ cab fare, steep but worth the safety of my grandfather. Then as I hung up the phone, the guy sitting 6 chairs over from me asked where I was headed. I told him and he said he lived about 5 minutes away. Now here is where I hate our news coverage. As this guy offered I started having images of the various young females who had been abducted and murdered. Whatever happened to trusting a perfect stranger?!? I didn't know what to do other than thank him. I had to go to the ATM but after I returned he handed me his business card, Gary L from a popular tequila company. And then I was sold. Not only did he go out of his way to offer me a ride but he gave me his contact information to ease my comfort AND he happens to work for a product which I LOVE! Well long story short, we landed and Gary and I had a safe and enjoyable 30 min ride to my grandpa's place. He told me shortly after leaving the airport that my decision to ride with him made his day and likewise it made mine. We talked about how we wished we could go back to the days of trusting complete strangers! We both did and worked out perfectly! After all was said and done I really didn't completely lie to my grandfather. Only the name was a lie, but a friend did give me a ride home from the airport! Now I'm not saying to every girl out there or guy, to just do what I did, but what I am saying is if we start giving people, complete strangers, trust, respect and maybe a minute or more of our time, I think we could overcome a lot of boundaries, stereotypes, and maybe even make a friend out of it. Also on the flip side, I encourage you to go out of your way to make someone's day. Gary did and I am really, really thankful. That one commercial where there is a cycle of people helping each other out is a perfect example... I hope to return the favor soon! Thanks Gary for inspiring me to breakdown comfort zones, help others more, make new friends from complete strangers, and of course for the ride. When I get back to SC, I'm buying a bottle of your tequila in honor of you!