Letter: Acts of Kindness in Fairfield

[Editor's note: This letter was submitted by Lynn and Mark Schuster & Debbie Goodman.]

In this day and age, many of us feel overwhelmed by our hectic schedules. For some, it is easy to find fault with the world. We become complacent and forget how important it is to be kind. However, my husband Mark, best friend Debbie, and I witnessed two acts of kindness very close to home. We thought these stories would be refreshing to share with our neighbors in Fairfield.

The first act of kindness began after we had a terrible scare. We were taking a walk on the morning of my birthday. Our 65-pound German Shepherd /Collie rescue dog Logan got off his leash and chased a deer across our street. Debbie, Mark, and I searched and searched for him in vain for 30 minutes and could not locate him. Soon my husband’s cell phone rang and it was the Community Veterinary Clinic. It turns out that a Good Samaritan found our dog walking onto the entrance ramp of the Merritt Parkway. This kind individual picked him up and drove him to our local vet.  We were able to retrieve him and bring him home to safety.

Within minutes of the dog rescue, we experienced the second act of kindness.  While we were engaged in conversation, Debbie’s cell phone accidentally slid out of her pocket into a storm drain. Luckily for us, gentlemen from the town of public works were paving the street. We asked them to move the grate and they complied immediately. They proceeded to use shovels to “fish around” for the cell phone. However, this technique proved to be unsuccessful. Without hesitation, one of the men put on his boots and leaped into the storm drain.  He reached down through layers of dirt and filthy water and retrieved the cell phone and handed it to Debbie.  Success!!

Afterward, Debbie offered each gentleman a financial gift.  Not one of them accepted her offer. They each replied that they were “in service” of our town of Fairfield. More specifically, we were told it was their duty to help others in the community.

We want to openly thank the Fairfield Public Work employees that paved Autumn Ridge Road and Spring Valley Road. You are not only consummate professionals but you also possess very generous hearts. In addition, we are forever grateful to the kind soul that rescued our dog and drove him to the Community Veterinary Clinic. It is these acts of kindness that reaffirm our decision to raise our families in this fine town of Fairfield.

Sincerely,

Lynn and Mark Schuster & Debbie Goodman