BAD NEWS: And rays of light

What we see and read in the news is mostly negative. War in Ukraine, crime and murder and some of our leaders who are stupid, traitors or both.

How did we get like this? Do we have a future and what will it be? Does anyone care?

On April 11, we were working on my pickup truck and it was a mess. I decided to drive it from Rathdrum to Hayden. I got to Atlas and Lancaster and the transmission quit. I had forgotten my cellphone.

I started walking and when I got to Crofoot Park, I stopped to rest. I’m 81 and have a bad knee. I was also a grungy mess and had blood on my face from a cut.

A white SUV stopped with three guys in it. They asked if I was OK and could they help. I asked if they had a cellphone and could they call my wife. While I was talking to my wife, another car pulled up and also offered to help. I told him thank you and I was OK. I thanked them all and they left.

Who were these people, and why did they stop? They cared about someone they didn’t even know.

The phone number I had was to the LDS Church. I called Steve Griffitts, ex-mayor of Hayden. He’s LDS and a good man. He checked and learned that the three men are young elders of the LDS Church.

The point is this: If we are going to save this country, these are the kind of people we need. People who care about their families, cities and country, not just themselves.

God bless the good people in this country and may God continue to bless America.

RICHARD CLARK PANABAKER

Hayden