Editor’s note: Every day there are rays of light that shine into the lives of people through their neighbors, their co-workers, their families and even through complete strangers. This column is devoted to exposing these sunbeams to the light and offering readers an opportunity to share good news. We plan to occasionally offer up our own sunbeams, too.
Guardian angels

On the evening of Aug. 15, my husband, sons and I were on our way home from a camping trip when we stopped for supper at a restaurant off the Maine Turnpike in Lewiston. While eating, my 11-month-old son swallowed a piece of a ketchup package and had a near-choking accident.

A heaven-sent angel, a nurse, took over from my husband’s and my unproductive efforts to get my son to cough up the blockage and administered back blows. In the meantime, my husband had the restaurant workers call 911, and within minutes the Lewiston Fire Department and an ambulance service were on the scene to assist.

Thanks to my guardian angels and some real, live angels, my son was smiling his sweet smile again before we left the restaurant.

My sincerest, heartfelt thanks to the helpful nurse and her daughter, the cashier, who brought a toy to my 2-year-old, and all the emergency responders.

Heather Maines and family, Gray
Proud of workers

Being a chairman on one of the Festival de Joie committees, I find myself compelled to write this. After all these wonderful years that we’ve had, I think that Lionel Guay and the whole board of directors should be proud of what they have done. It involved plenty of hard work, and I think they would all say that they were glad to be part of it.

I know that I have no regrets. It has been a lot of fun.

And let’s not forget all the volunteers, who every year give their time and effort.

Again, I say, “Thank you, Lionel Guay, and all the members of the board of directors.” I have enjoyed every year.

Gerry Morin, Lewiston
Something extra

I’m writing to say thanks to all the people who helped us through our ordeal after a head-on collision recently on Route 2. Yes, police, firefighters and EMTs get paid to do what they do. What I’m talking about is that “extra” something they gave us that morning – the kind words and understanding, a comforting hand on the shoulder, offers to help us buy clothes if we needed, and tending to our needs.

It was chaotic at the accident scene with lots of gawkers. To those who stepped forward and held my wife, stood ready with a fire extinguisher until the firetrucks arrived, offered bandages and blankets and words of reassurance, we offer our heartfelt thanks.

When we arrived at the Rumford Hospital, professional and caring medical help swarmed around us. Again, these folks get paid to do what they do. However, all the hospital folks gave something “extra” – a reassuring smile, holding a shaking hand, and offering a shoulder to cry on was reassuring beyond measure.

All the folks who helped us gave of themselves. That “extra” something makes a difference and says a lot of good things about citizens of Rumford.

Ralph and Faith Hamel, Danvers, Mass.

The Sun Journal encourages its readers to offer their own sunbeams in writing. Please limit letters to 200 words. Letters must be signed and must include the author’s full name, address and telephone number, for verification purposes only. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters may be edited.

Address letters to: Letters to the Editor, Sunbeams, Sun Journal, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Fax: 207-777-3436. E-mail: letters@sunjournal.com, and note that the letter is for Sunbeams. For more information, call David Farmer, editorial page editor, at 800-482-0759, ext. 2340.

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