A year ago, I would have driven past the poor guy in his car stuck on the corner because I had to get my wife’s giant-sized coffee (with caramel) home from 7-Eleven. Instead, I stopped and tried to push him out. I failed, but I did succeed in breaking the spoiler off his car.

A year ago, I would have just finished shoveling my own driveway and gotten my freezing self back inside and let my neighbor’s tenants struggle with his driveway by themselves. Instead, I got to meet Carlos and Sandra and cut their work in half (because my neighbor – who lives in the same house – is apparently a terrible landlord). Sandra doesn’t speak English. Other than “thank you.” Her smile said plenty.

This is how Rita affected my life.

– Scott McIntyre