The kindness of strangers
My terrified cat escaped from her carrier when I took her to the vet recently. I tried to catch her as she ran across two busy roads and jumped over a wall. I asked the owner of the house if I could look for her and he shouted and swore at me.
I spent seven weeks looking for my kitty. I put up posters, some of which were taken down. The attitude towards my search from some people was disgusting. I was treated with funny looks and suspicion.
I got my beautiful cat back thanks to two wonderful people who let me into their garden to call her as they’d spotted her. It’s amazing how people can be so different: some so kind and helpful, others so cruel and mean. CAT LOVER, BERARIO
I’m 75 but still working, thank goodness, in a sit-down menial job. I don’t own a car and walk about a kilometre to catch my taxi. On my way I meet up with little toddlers and their mothers who drop them at daycare centres. They’re excited to see me and greet me with a cheerful “Hello, Gogo”.
I also encounter construction workers, security guards and many of our homeless youngsters collecting cardboard and plastic bottles. They also never fail to greet me with a friendly good morning.
When my taxi arrives and I jump in I receive this wonderful greeting from all my fellow commuters. Thank you to all you wonderful people for starting my day off on a preciously happy note.
Like many others my age I wake up with the odd ache and pain but the thought of all my lovely greetings inspires me to keep going. Hope all you other gogos can find the time for a little short walk to experience the joy that I do.
I nearly forgot to mention Gabriel the friendly bull terrier who wags his tail when he sees me coming. His master tells me he always know when I’m coming because Gabriel gets extremely excited and starts to pull him along. HAPPY GOGO JUNE, EMAIL
Today I took my elderly mother to the KwaDukuza (Stanger) traffic department in KwaZulu-Natal. We’d taken things to drink and read with the expectation of being there most of the day.
The staff were so helpful with filling out of forms and were patient with all our queries. In this day and age where moaning seems to be the norm, especially in regards to government institutions, I’d like to thank the staff and congratulate them on their professionalism. STACEY, EMAIL