Like most people, I am disgusted with most people. Sometimes however, it takes a gentle splash of warm water in the face to remember that most people are indeed warm and good.

During a recent trip to the Amazon jungle, I was crossing one the rope bridges so common there when a misstep caused a groin pull – not the worst one ever but enough to cause a temporary limp. When I limped into the tiny airport the next day, a young man came from out-of-nowhere, smiled and offered to push me in a wheelchair for free? Huh?

Somehow that was communicated ahead, because another wheelchair appeared at each airport when I changed planes? It so uncomplicated my journey that I was almost speechless, while my wife lavished tips on the them, whether they wanted the tip or not.

My chief memory is the tiny, old lady who held out her arm when I stumbled. I could have crushed her, but she had no fear, just trying to help. God bless her, wherever she is . . .

The only downside to my wheelchair experience was learning that out-of-sight really equals out-of-mind, as the stand-up people communicated among themselves, ignoring the wheelchair-bound. However, that is a small price for the kindness of strangers.

George Bailey was correct — it’s a wonderful life!