DEAR ABBY: It's rare nowadays to find nice people willing to help a complete stranger. That's why I want to share this with you:
I live in Cheyenne, Wyo. I was seven months pregnant and was driving alone to Thermopolis, five hours away.
Three hours into my trip, I found myself in a major snowstorm. I couldn't go on and I couldn't turn back, so I left the interstate the first chance I got. The nearest town had only one gas station, one motel and two restaurants. Neither of the restaurants accepted credit cards, and all the rooms at the motel were already booked. I waited with other stranded motorists for the weather to clear. Unfortunately, it just got worse. The highway patrol eventually closed all the roads.
A wonderful couple checked into their room and invited me to share it with them. Then they bought me dinner. They refused to accept anything from me except my profuse thanks.
I never expected to meet people willing to put themselves out for someone they didn't even know. In this age of distrust, it's reassuring to know that there are still wonderful people out there. -- VALERIE GIBSON
DEAR VALERIE: Thank you for sharing your experience. As more and more people have written to me relating random acts of kindness, it is clearly apparent that generosity of spirit is alive and well in our country.