DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Dec. 13, my husband and I went Christmas tree shopping. We found one at a local business and got in line to pay for the tree. The clerk told us that the customer in line ahead of us had already paid for it.

We want to thank this very generous man for his kind act. This gives me hope that the world is still full of wonderful people. Thank you very much and we will pay it forward. — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Thank you for sharing this. It gives me hope, too. Like a lot of “older” people, I can’t help but mull over my Christmas memories. What I remember most are the kind people who have reached out to help me over the years.

This letter about the Christmas tree has me recalling December 1983, when my vehicle needed an expensive repair right before Christmas. I was a single parent rearing four children and often didn’t have a lot of money for emergencies even though I worked, oftentimes at two jobs.

I wasn’t going to get paid until Jan. 2 and couldn’t go without transportation that long. Steve, the local mechanic, recommended by a church friend, was willing to set up a payment plan for me even though he said he didn’t usually do that. I promised to give him $30 a month until the payment was complete.

As I signed the form, Steve asked me if I was all set for Christmas and I told him I had gotten most of the gifts (with help from my parents) and had made cookies but we didn’t have our tree set up yet. I added that I would probably go into the woods and try to chop one down myself. He offered to help me if I could wait until Friday, just a few days away.

This mechanic and his wife came over as promised and we walked out into the woods and found a not-too-lop-sided tree. It would have been too much for me to chop it down and drag it home myself! While Steve was helping me balance the tree in the stand, his wife brought in a large box. The contents included a pork roast, potatoes and other fresh vegetables, fruit, cheese, crackers, and nuts, McDonald’s gift certificates, and candy (to help Santa with the stockings), and a Sears gift certificate.

She explained that they didn’t have any children of their own and that they liked “to do for others” at Christmas. It was one of the best Christmases for us ever. I was Steve’s customer until he retired in 1999 and we became great friends. Every year since I first walked into his garage, our family does something to honor the memory of that Christmas tree with the accompanying box of goodies. We’ve had fuller, more symmetrical trees than that lop-sided homegrown one in 1983, but none that have been as special.

Sun Spotters, keep sending me your stories of good Samaritans, random kindnesses, and unexpected angels. May you all be blessed this coming year and make the time to bless others who are put in your path. Within these dark winter days, look for the light, be the light. Merry Christmas.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].