It was a new and devastating experience when the couple was stuck at the mile marker. The couple, Casey and John, were on their way to the MD airport from Elliot City when all this happened. They were 148 in the long line of halted vehicles. As their documents and visas had been processed, they would have soon shifted to Germany, but not without visiting their dear family. This is why they were here.
The husband, John, was in the Air Force, so they had to move to Germany and stay there for the next four years. As they were all set to have a great time together, the couple, who were now foreign-bound, were also mentally prepared to travel with several passengers awaiting rescue. So many stuck people had no other option than sleeping in their cars.
The people were stuck not just in one big problem, but so much more was going on. The temperatures were low, they did not have enough food and resources, and they could only turn their cars on for a short while. Fuel preservation was also a priority!
Hour after hour passed, and energies were drained, but everyone was still stuck for over 21 hours. From the nearest towns getting out of power to starving, because there was nothing they could get over time, people who were stuck did not know how they felt about the situation. The frustration of hunger, sleeplessness for so long, and constant waiting for things to get resolved were all over.
However, Casey and John knew there was a truck nearby, and it was a delivery truck. The good part? It was delivered to a bakery, so as the desperation to eat something grew, they knew they had to try to get their hands on some food.
Not sure they would get anything, they instantly picked up the phone and tried contacting the bakery’s customer service.
It did not take long, and what they expected—a negative response—did not happen. In less than 20 minutes, their stomachs finally stopped grumbling as they got access to some food. It was a miracle for them.
The bakery owner, Chuck Paterakis, informed them that the truck had loaves of bread and people; the stuck motorists could get their hands on them. Kindness always contributes to good in the least expected moments. Hearing this on the phone call, the couple felt it was a call straight from heaven, and angels were there to help them in such a crisis.
Over the phone, the owner was joyous that he got to help people and was even grateful to the couple. The truck driver got off and opened the truck so more than 50 cars could receive the baked goods, most of which had young children. After a day of being stuck at I-95, the car was a blessing that at least took away their hunger. Whether they were older adults, little children, or pets, everyone got to eat something at least. Moreover, when the couple shared the entire story on the internet, the bakery’s owner and the couple were praised globally, as kindness is not a norm that we get to see.
His little act of kindness saved so many lives!
