It was, simply, human kindness personified

I experienced, firsthand, great human kindness on March 18, when my car broke down in the middle of the extremely busy intersection of 29th Street and Prairie Drive N.E.

It first revealed itself in the form of overwhelming expressions of concern as to my well-being by drivers on all sides of the intersection whose travels were being impeded.

It then was manifested by the scores of young people who left their parked cars to rush forward to help by collectively pushing my car with a locked front wheel nearly clear of the intersection.

Their selfless assistance was openly complimented by Cedar Rapids Police Officer Bob Boyer, who arrived on the scene. Boyer then used his patrol car to push my car free of the intersection to a place of safety. He patiently waited with me for the late arrival of a tow truck, even spontaneously contacting the tow truck business to spur on their efforts.

This experience, exemplified by all of the people then affected, and coupled with the gracious police assistance, has reinforced my belief in the inherent kindness of people.

James Bennett

Cedar Rapids