Sir, – Last week I thumbed a lift (for the first time in over 55 years) close to Sutton Cross in Dublin 13 so that I’d have a chance of reaching my granddaughter in time for school pick-up time.
This happened because of roadworks in the area which created such a jam that I took my car onto a side road, parked it and then walked as fast as I could to beyond the start of the jam.
After that, having realised that I’d be at least 15 minutes late for pick-up time if I just walked, I began thumbing for a lift and was presented with a small red car, the driver of which indicated I should get into the back seat, and I did.
The wonderful woman who took me on did not first ask where I wanted to go and factor that into calculations of what would suit her best.
She simply asked me where I wanted to go and brought me there.
I am very grateful to that woman, who had earlier been at a poetry reading because it was Poetry Day, for her kindness which probably significantly increased the length of her journey but resulted in me being on time for school pick-up. I hope to replicate her kindness with some other person. – Yours, etc,
M O’SULLIVAN,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.