To the Editor:

It was still dark outside Thursday morning. It was trash day. I prepped the coffee maker for my lovely wife but would wait until I got to work before making any for myself. As it was early, I grabbed the last load of trash to put out before pick-up. I grabbed a grocery bag of medical paperwork and a Home Depot gift card as I headed out the door. It was early and the trash truck had not come yet. Great. After throwing the bags into the blue cart, I headed to the car. I was happy to hear a truck coming down the road. I would be able to put the cart away before leaving for work.

While walking back toward the street the light bulb came over my head like in a comic strip. The gift card and paperwork were in the trash. The cart arched gracefully up and into the truck. I could not get the driver’s attention without looking as foolish as I felt. I headed to my car as the truck pulled away for its next pick-up. By the time I caught up to the truck it was turning right for its next stop. After making the right, I saw there were now two trucks. Seeing that the first truck was picking up green carts, I passed it and headed for the lead truck.

I pulled in front of the lead truck, stopped, and got out to talk with the driver about my situation. He was very polite and suggested meeting him at the municipal lot. He very wisely parked under excellent lighting, hopped into the back, and started pulling trash bags out of the way with a hoe. I described my two bags as he pulled more and more out of the way. Ten or more minutes later he was still digging. Hope was waning. Then there was a glimmer of hope. Some of my trash began to appear but still no gift card, no medical paperwork. As we were both losing heart I saw the handle of a white grocery bag hanging down from all the compressed trash. Eureka! I had everything but my pride back.

Ryan and I introduced ourselves. After much thanking, I tried to several times to remunerate Ryan for his going well beyond common courtesy but he graciously said no thank you. He would be happy with me putting in a good word for him. So here it is: Thank you Ryan. After weeks of snow and ice, holidays, and moved and compressed pick-up days you showed rare tolerance and regard for my situation.

I found my way to work, made coffee, but still had the feeling I had forgotten something else.

Sincerely,

Gerhard Blume

Hampton