On a cold and stormy night, February 14th, 1965, an older African American woman was standing on the side of the highway beside her broken down car. Her nice clothing was completely drenched from standing next to the car trying to flag down a ride.

There were few cars on the road that night, and she was losing hope that she would ever catch a ride. A young white man stopped for her, which was a rarity, because of the race conflicts occurring during the 60’s.

They began to talk, and he did what he could to comfort her. She was very distraught over a sick relative she was going to see. Because it was 11:30pm when he picked her up and the weather was so bad, he drove dozens of miles out of his way to help her get where she was going.

Though he had to drop her off before she made it all the way to her destination, he took her to a safe place, tracked down a taxi for her, and got her on her way. During their interaction she wrote down his address, thanked him before she left.

A week later, a knock came on the young mans door. Two deliverymen were trying to drop off a very expensive, giant console color TV. He told them it wasn’t his, and that he didn’t order it.

The driver of the delivery truck handed him a note which read, “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The storm had drenched not only my clothes but my spirits as well. I had waited so long, I thought I’d never get a ride. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just hours before he passed away. God bless you for helping me, and unselfishly helping someone who really needed it. I hope others come along to help you, just like you helped me. Best Wishes, Mrs. Nat King Cole”

When you serve others unselfishly, you never know the good you just might do—without even trying.