During our 1980 cross country hitch-hiking journey, my buddy Neville was very consistent in capturing dozens of signatures from all the drivers who stopped and offered two dusty and weary lads a lift. Neville’s tireless effort to record these taglines of our history has since become a highly treasured artifact for me. Being able to look back in time and view the many signatures of our numerous benefactors is a treasured keepsake. These maps have become a testament to the unwavering kindness of strangers that inhabit this great continent.

I recently spent some time reaching out via social media to the names etched onto Neville’s late 70’s era Rand McNally Road Map. My aim was to connect with any of the drivers who had stopped and offered a lift back during those adventurous journeys of our youth. Utilizing ‘Facebook Messenger’ and hoping that I might get lucky and connect with just a few of our kind benefactors, I reached out to dozens of potentially matching names. My primary goal was to interview some of the kind souls for the purposes of this blog, but certainly I also hoped to connect with them and thank them for their kindness.

There were various clues on the roadmap to guide me; besides the names themselves, there were general locations of where the original lift occurred, and there was the timeline associated with the dates of our journey. Neville had tried to numerate the signatures to provide sequencing for each.  I was also able to deduce that 44 years after the journey any drivers I contacted would need to be at least in their mid-60’s.  I was not looking for individuals matching the names for anyone younger than myself.

In addition to the general inquiry, I also included in my contact note the request that perhaps the names I was contacting might possibly be associated or related to the original driver (daughter, son, grandchild, etc.). So, by searching for the name and concentrating on specific profiles that generally matched the age and locations associated from the roadmaps, I reached out to multiple possible candidates.

Among dozens of inquiries, I received but two responses across all the legible names I could cypher. And after further discussion among the two respondents, the entire project proved fruitless; those two respondents turned out to not be among the thankless drivers from 44 years back behind us on the road. My unscientific search failed to reveal any of the kind souls who had helped us on our path.

I was therefore unsuccessful at interviewing any of our kind benefactors. Undaunted, I remain optimistic that someday stories or pictures on this blog may cross the path of one of the kind drivers who came across us in our journeys. I am a glass half full type of dude, after all. So, I post these verses in honor of the faceless (if not nameless) strangers who took a chance on two wandering strangers out on the road. Hopefully these lines help to express my gratitude directly to those generous and kind souls who stopped and offered us a lift. These verses could be applicable to all benevolent angels everywhere who have ever reached out with helping hands in kindness.

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In a realm of solitude, white lines greeting the endless sky,
Amidst the vast expanse, under the burning sun's high,
You halted, a beacon of kindness, on the asphalt road,
Where hope flickered faintly, your generosity bestowed.

With a gentle offer, a lift in your care,
In that fleeting connection, a bond we did share.
Onward we journeyed, paths intertwined,
In one fleeting moment, your grace we did find.

In the tapestry of time, where memories align,
Your singular act of kindness, a treasure divine.
Our debts forever etched, in gratitude sublime,
For your selfless act, across grains of time.

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The appearance of these signatures displayed here isn’t without some persistent hope; perhaps someday, someone will recognize these signatures and respond. Yet, hope’s melody often plays softly in the background, patient and serene. In the meantime, my gratitude towards all the benevolent strangers from my past must resonate more vibrantly, like the rhythmic beat of a drum. To those kind souls who stopped and aided us on our journey, thank you so very much for the kindness you have shown.

Cheers, nca