Recently I made my daily stop to check on a friend who lives downtown. He loves to ride his bike, picking up cans that he often takes to the recycling metal business near the Blue-Gray Parkway.

His bike had recently been damaged, making it impossible to ride. Several friends and I tried to repair it, but the bike needed a new derailleur and other pieces replaced.

Much to my surprise, I noticed my friend's bike was gone. I assumed he had fixed it and was happily in search of more cans. A friend down the street said that a lady in a red van had stopped and picked up the bike. Later, I found the repaired bike with new derailleur and chain tied to a post near Micah Ministries on Princess Anne Street.

After some research, it was verified at a local bike-repair shop that a nice lady had paid for the repair. There are angels among us watching out for the needy of Fredericksburg.

Seeing my sociable friend limping up and down the streets must have struck a nerve and she stopped and asked if he needed help.

For my friend, I thank you, good Samaritan in the red minivan.

Mike Cotter

Spotsylvania