To the editor:

Ten days ago, on my way to church, I met a stranger who was also on his way to church, albeit a different one.

Having found a parking space on Church Street a few hundred feet from St. Luke’s, I made it onto the icy sidewalk across a large pile of plow-driven snow. Treading carefully and slowly, I managed to walk several steps while singing “get me to the church on time” to myself.

Then suddenly I fell, landing with my full body weight on my buttocks. I wasn’t on the sidewalk more than a minute when I heard a man’s voice from behind saying he was going to help me.

How relieved I felt having earlier surveyed the street and found it empty of any human activity and that I didn’t have the footing to stand on the black ice. He asked if anything hurt or felt broken and I quickly answered “no,” that “I had to get to church.” He then asked if I felt I could stand. I nodded and he put his arms under mine and lifted me up ever so gently but firmly.

That’s when he told me he was going to church too, but that first he would walk me to mine. When we were arm in arm, I got my first look at this tall, strong and friendly young man. As we walked, we exchanged names — his was Seth.

My part of the conversation consisted of repetitions of words like “grateful, appreciative, kind …” He walked me up the church steps, into the vestibule and then went back to get my pocketbook and bag we’d left on the sidewalk. Because I was late for the service, he was sure to have been late for his as well.

Seth is a fine example of the community spirit of our little village — someone going out of his way to help a stranger in need, whatever the inconvenience may be.

How fortunate I am to live in this community, where neighbor helping neighbor is the norm.

Elizabeth Kochar

Saranac Lake