Article February 12, 2001 Issue

Compassion that unites people

Lessons learned on western highways

By Rosalie E. Dunbar

Driving through northern Arizona on a cold, windy day, I saw a young Native American woman walking along the road. She was looking for a ride, and I stopped and offered her one. She got in and told me where she was going, but didn't respond to my friendly interest in knowing more about her.

I wondered if I'd said something wrong. But then as I looked at her youthful but very weary face, I fell silent. When we reached her destination, I realized just how very far she would have had to walk, and was glad I'd stopped for her.

Later on, my car got caught in a ditch in New Mexico. With no way to get it out, I flagged down a few cars. But no one was willing to assist me or even to call for help. I felt alone and scared.

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