Before I left, Kevin told me his wife had been suffering from cancer for the past 12 years.

Incoming, another hug from me and encouragement. Honestly, I couldn’t believe the kindness pouring out of this man’s heart.

It wasn’t the actual event, the scooter for a hike that touched me, it was Kevin’s heart, and after all he had been through caring for his wife he still had room for giving to a complete stranger suffering from the same disease.

When the day came, Kevin honoured his promise, but he had to ask his friend Randy to deliver the scooter to the trail head. He was on his way to the hospital where his wife had been hospitalized a few days before in the ICU.

She would not be going home this time. I learned from Randy as he unloaded the scooter that there would be no life support. Kevin’s wife died that day.

I had to honour the gift of that scooter. I packed my cooler into the little basket in front, swallowed a huge lump in my throat, and once again, utterly breathless with not just gratitude but love for these strangers, one of whom I would never meet, one who had been a hero for 12 years coping with cancer treatment and who was perhaps offering her greatest gift of all to those who loved her, the gift of letting go and finally leaving the suffering behind.

I have struggled with writing this (letter) because of the incredibly tender nature of the story. Even as I finish it, I am filled with a level of caring I have never experienced before.

The caring is for me, for Kevin, for his wife, for Randy, for all brave souls who weather the chemotherapy storm with hopes their lives will be saved ... I am breathless again and I have been brought to my knees in humility and with hope that our world still has heroes.

You just have to open your heart and mind and look around.

Please, no matter where you live in the surrounding areas of Cambridge, go to this man Kevin Davis if you or a family member needs a scooter. Support his business.

And don’t forget to give him a hug.

Jude Jackson

Cambridge