I am not from Waupaca. I am not even from Wisconsin … or anywhere near to the midwestern United States.

This is not about me. This is about the heart of Wisconsin, in particular Waupaca.

I was witness and partial participant in a random act of kindness at our local Piggly Wiggly.

An older woman needed help with her shopping.

A bag boy took it upon himself to help by taking her around the store, placing things in her cart and helping her to the check-out line.

At this point the woman stated she was not feeling well.

Another person in the same line helped her get a seat while the same bag boy packed her groceries.

When asked what and how she felt “not well,” the woman replied, “I’m 99 years old. You never know when or how you’re going to feel.”

Another woman in the same line as this lovely lady helped her sit down, got her a water and after a rest with her, loaded her groceries into her car, drove the woman home and helped her unload her groceries and, if need be, would take her to the hospital if she was not well enough to be left alone.

Yes, at 99 years of age this woman lives alone, grocery shops for herself and has no family in town.

This Good Samaritan did not know this other person.

Several other people in line at the grocery store also offered help and concern.

Thank you, people of Waupaca for touching my heart when it so needed to be touched.

You have proved again that the good in people, despite what we hear on the news or bear witness to in our own backyards at times, is alive and well in this town.

I believe that if I look for good, I will see the good and sometimes life just gets in the way and I overlook the small miracles that occur in everyday life.

I am proud to live in such a place that cares so deeply for those they don’t even know.

These random acts of kindness and caring would be few and far between, if ever, where I come from.

It gives me hope for humankind as I have been blessed to view events similar to this time and again since I have lived here.

Yes, as shocking as it is to me, I am proud and blessed to be here.

Sharon Verrett

Waupaca