The kindness of strangers
The kindness of strangers
August 30, 2007
Section: News
Patrick Diedrich was pleasantly surprised by two kind acts from local strangers.
WHEN 82-year-old volunteer worker Patrick Diedrich of Woonona accidentally left his medical card and driver's licence on the roof of his car he thought they had been lost forever.
But the kindness of local strangers proved to him that community spirit is alive and kicking in the Northern Suburbs.
After his latest trip to the optometrist, retired Mr Diedrich stopped in Woonona to do a bit of shopping and absent-mindedly placed an envelope containing an important medical card, his driver's licence and $5 on the roof of his car, and then drove off with it still on the roof.
It wasn't until he returned home some time later that he realised his mistake, and set off on what he said was stressful journey in search of the missing items.
“I was really stressed out and I'm surprised I didn't chuck a heart attack or something,” he said.
Mr Diedrich had just about given up hope when, later that afternoon, he received a call form a mystery Bulli Woman telling him she had found an envelope containing $5 and his medical card, and her husband would be dropping it off shortly.
Mr Diedrich said his heart soared momentarily, but then he thought to ask about the driver's licence - and was told it was no longer in the envelope.
Mr Diedrich decided to wait until the next morning to see if anyone called about his driver's licence, but having received no other calls by that time he set off to the RTA for a replacement.
When he got home Mr Diedrich checked his mailbox, and found his old driver's licence, dropped off by a nameless good samaritan.
“I've got two licences now, one for the car and one to keep with me,” he said.
Mr Diedrich was very thankful to both of the people who helped him, and wanted to publicly thank them for their kindness and thoughtfulness.
“I want to say God bless them and I'm grateful from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
“I only wish that I could see them personally.
“Maybe I could buy them a drink or something.”