Cold Fog - Warm Heart

Wednesday, November 3

I had walked through a cold fog for most of the morning and though it eventually lifted - the cold remained. Therefore I arrived in Van Wert, Ohio, somewhat chilled and unsure of where I would stay. I am now used to uncertainty and no longer bothered by it, for as today demonstrates, something always works out. Walking through town I spied the Fountain Inn - a small motel run by a very nice woman named Manjula Makwana Patel. Manjula is originally from India and we had a pleasant time conversing as I checked in at the front desk. Manjula is proud of her American citizenship and of her adoped town of VanWert. She and her husband successfully raised a family here and together ran the motel until his passing four years ago. Now alone, her adult children wish for their mother to retire but she enjoys the community and meeting new people who arrive as guests. While talking I asked her where I might find something to eat and out of the kindness of her heart - she insisted that I go check into my room and she would bring me something. In a short while I heard a knock on the door and there was Manjula with a lovely tray of food for me to enjoy.

Once again - the kindness of strangers.