Just a Part of Our Small Town

Fifteen hours left to drive to their home in Minnesota, a family of six stopped along the Hwy 2 at the DQ for a quick bite. They had been over to Whitefish where they have a cabin, spending the last three weeks skiing and enjoying family time.

Ah, now wasn’t that just a warm and melt your heart little sharing. If you would like, here is where we met up with them.

The family had ordered and were using the restroom, stretching their legs, and merely waiting to head down the road.

*Since I never introduced myself, nor did they to me, I’ll just refer to the family members as their role in the picture.

Grandpa has his own vehicle, and the family is traveling in a tall 4x4 four door heavy duty truck. Dad goes out and comes back in and from the discussion one can’t help but hear or figure out they are locked out of the truck.

The keys are in the truck.

A dog is in the truck.

The dog locks the doors.

Mom calls on her cell phone and tells someone, “…this is the SECOND time this year he has done this!” Though she is probably frustrated, she is pre-occupied with taking snap shots and video of hubby’s claim to fame.

Through all of this, everyone remains totally calm. Nice!

Grandpa and Dad venture around the building and I don’t believe they went near the airport, but they managed to find a hanger (not hangar) and were going to just quickly do the old unlatch the windows (McGyver style) via artistic talents with a slender device originally designed to hold clothing.

My family and I are sitting there watching from the corner seats next to the vehicle, and all eye of probably 20 or so customers are watching anxiously. I told the Mom that I know of a guy that can break into the vehicle for them, and should I call and see if he is home.

I called slick window operator, and yes, he was home, and I told him I would let him know if they wanted him to come over.

By now, Mom has watched Dad and Grandpa circle the truck in a fury, making no gains or access to the vehicle.

In the meantime, doggie inside is content to be dashing from driver’s door to passenger’s and back. He has the pattern just about timed to ‘quick trip’ time.

I let Mom know I had contacted the individual and he could come if they needed him, and as she left to go see what THREE adults can do to open the vehicle, she turned back and smiling said, “just TELL HIM TO COME!”

This is where Dale Kaasa arrives in the picture. Like an angel, in relaxed sweatpants enjoying the holiday and day off, his vehicle pulls up. He and Dad work to get things figured out and decide Dale is vertically challenged in regards to the big truck, and two of them come back in to borrow a chair.

By now all eyes in the building are trying to keep up with the progress and customers are missing their mouth with their ice cream with eyes riveted toward the west window.

Within a matter of getting up the proper height and working with due diligence, the magician achieves success!

There is clapping and cheering from everyone in the building!

Mom cannot be more pleased.

Like the true good neighbor he is, Dale returned the chair to the table where the family was eating.

I called out to Dale, “Just so you know, you got a standing ovation from in here…,” and again the applause echoed in a tone of gratefulness! Caught off guard, he lets a smile sneak across his face. And, like he was taught by his Mom, he grabbed napkins and cleaned off the chair seat. Dale walked out quietly, satisfied that he was doing what good neighbors, and the good people from small-town Malta, MT do. Every day, without hesitation.

As I prepared to leave, Dad thanked me and Mom comes over and says, “I don’t even know you, but I am going to give you a hug. I told her I did nothing other than knowing who to call and she was pleased with even that information.

With her arms wrapped around me like I might be chilled, she said, “It’s things like this and people like you guys that make me believe there are still good people in the world.” I assured her there are. And Dale is one of them.