Many years ago, when we first went to Canada, we were driving through Montana to Colorado with our two children, then aged 8 and 11. As it was getting late we started looking for a hotel, only to find out that all the hotels were 1.
Finally, around 9 o'clock in the evening, we stopped at a2to fill up on petrol. My husband asked for a3 and told the woman at the counter that we were trying to find a hotel. When he was 4, the woman, Linda, said she and her family 5nearby and would be happy if we spent the night at her home.
She called her son to direct us, 6 she had to hold the fort at the gas station till midnight. When we reached their home, her husband 7 us. He invited us to have coffee and chat while we 8 for his wife. She came back after midnight. We asked if we could 9 in the morning so as not to disturb them. They said we were now guests and we would have to have 10with them.
In the morning we woke up to a table set for breakfast. Around the table were many of their 11 and friends. We ate breakfast, and when we were leaving, my husband asked if he could offer some 12.
They would not hear of it and 13 we were their guests. We left touched by their spirit of hospitality and we were amazed that they would14 a family of total strangers from a different country. Over the years, we lost touch, but we have never forgotten their15.
