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.
Making a difference

In September 2006, my husband contacted the New Auburn American Legion Post asking that they help supply our son, Patrick, and his Marines in Rahwah, Iraq, with warm clothing and some “goodies” from home. The Sun Journal ran two articles on Patrick and his unit around that time.

We are very pleased to write that Patrick and his unit are now safely back in the U.S.

Our family wishes to express gratitude and thanks to the wonderful and generous people of Lewiston-Auburn and to folks from all around Maine who sent warm-weather gear, goodies, cards and letters to Patrick and his unit. Our family is humbled and extremely grateful for the outpouring of generosity and kindness shown to our son.

We understand that several local clubs helped to raise money to send the boxes to the troops. We can never thank those people enough for making such a difference in the lives of our Marines, and most especially for the caring people showed to our son.

We thank everyone for making a difference.

Dottie and Charlie Gravel, Auburn

Grace in fall

I’m writing to thank two women who took the time to help me when I fell outside the Auburn Mall on April 9. With all the confusion, I never got to ask their names.

I hope they see this and know how very much I appreciated their help.

Florence Daniels, Greene
Unexpected kindness

I would like to offer my thanks to the unknown person who helped me at Central Maine Medical Center on March 1.

My son had gotten sick and she was gracious enough to help me get a towel and wash cloth so I could wash him up after gettting sick in my car. I really did appreciate her taking the time to help me in my hour of need. Most people would not have done anything.

Thanks again for being so kind.

Penny L. Haslett, Oxford
No quacking matter

Working in Auburn, I have done my share of complaining about drivers who do not let me walk when I’m in a crosswalk.

This time, however, I want to mention something wonderful I witnessed. The other day, I was walking and saw several cars completely stopped to let a pair of ducks cross the four lanes between Great Falls Plaza and the Androscoggin County Courthouse.

As an animal lover, I felt compelled to write this letter hoping those drivers might see it. Since the ducks cannot thank you themselves, I wanted to do it for them.

Sandra Kaynor, Peru
Top of my hero list

This is to thank the beautiful human being who found my ATM card (I left it in the machine, air-headed and hurried as I am). Your honest and responsible reaction was to call my bank to report the card lost, and the bank canceled it for me and left a voicemail for me to contact them – all before I returned home from the trip to town and the visit to the ATM. It couldn’t have been more than 20 minutes. I can only imagine what a lesser person would have chosen to do with my card.

My hat is off to you. You’ve gone to the top of my “hero” list. You’ve bolstered my sometimes-wavering faith in humanity, justice, and basic goodness. You’ve made my day. You’ve taught me. The next time you are feeling down on yourself (although I should wonder if you ever have reason to), take this letter out and read it to yourself. You are a good human being. Our world needs good human beings.

May the sun always shine on you.

Valerie Lovelace, Poland
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: [email protected], and note that the letter is for Sunbeams. For more information, call Judy Meyer, managing editor/days, at 800-482-0759, ext. 2302.