Thursday, July 09, 2020

A Good Samaritan in a Wedding Dress

bride helps crash victim

Many of you know by now that I just can't resist a worthwhile contemporary Good Samaritan story. In the gospel of Luke Jesus tells a parable in answer to what may have been an insincere  "who is my neighbour?" question. A couple of religious people walk past a man waylaid by robbers and tossed in the ditch. It is an outsider, a Samaritan who comes to his aid and ensures his wellbeing. As I've written before, the term Good Samaritan is understood by many, even those who don't realize that it comes from this biblical story. There are jurisdictions which have Good Samaritan laws mandating coming to the aid of those in distress. The use of this term is a bit strange because it legislates what is a matter of spontaneous  compassion in the original.

The photo above is of a bride who happens to be a nurse who stops at the scene of an accident to see if she can be of assistance. This compassionate act was commendable, but even more so given the day. Here is the description from People magazine:

Just hours after saying "I do" to her husband, Calvin Taylor, on Father's Day, Rachel Taylor, a nurse from Minnesota, was helping out a patient in need. Rachel and Calvin, who got married in a small outdoor ceremony, were driving home from their wedding when they came across an accident on the road. Upon discovering the accident scene, the newlyweds stopped with Rachel ready and willing to put her medical skills to work.

The person in greatest distress in the accident expressed her appreciation later:

"She kept me calm. ... I think she helped save my life even more, you know, just physically and mentally being there at that time," Peterson said, adding that Calvin and Rachel, who are now on their honeymoon in Montana, are "meant for each other."

Hey, even when life is unpredictable and frightening there are still opportunities for generosity and compassion.

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