To the editor:

We would like to publicly thank a member of the Suffolk community for restoring our faith in humanity and in the kindness of people. We were on U.S. Route 58 east on Friday, Oct. 14, traveling from our home in Bluffton, S.C., to Virginia Beach to celebrate our aunt’s 100th birthday.

It was late in the evening and very dark when we had a blowout of a tire on our car. The tires were only 10 days old, but apparently one was defective.

We barely made it safely to the shoulder of the dark highway. Because of a recent injury, my husband was unable to change the tire himself. I would have to change the tire, with his guidance. I hadn’t changed a tire in 40 years.

I opened the trunk and removed the “donut” tire. We were barely off the road, there was minimal shoulder, and it was dark. Out of nowhere, bright headlights came up to us. A large pickup was stopping. From the truck emerged an angel named Alvin, all dressed in camo! He was on his way home from hunting.

He saw us stopped on the side of the road, went down an exit, and came back to us. He not only changed our tire but also would not accept any payment, despite repeated attempts.

So, citizens of Suffolk, you have an angel living among you named Alvin, who does good deeds and is kind. Who stops today for someone on the side of the road? Alvin made us rethink that situation!

May he inspire us all to be a little more kind, even to strangers. Thank you Alvin (sorry we failed to get your last name) for your assistance and kindness. You will always be Alvin the Angel to us.

 

Jane and Steve Tennant

Bluffton, S.C.