‘Welcomed by angels’ in Tilley

By Letter to the Editor on October 26, 2017.

Oct. 3 shall live in our memory forever.

We saw the best in life just after the worst roads of our life.

Stalled in the freak snowstorm, we made a futile effort to travel north at the Tilley corner. We drove perhaps 15 kilometres in the worst road conditions of my 50 years of driving.

We scarcely were able to get back to the Trans-Canada Highway.

The TCH had been blocked for eight hours and we decided to follow a truck through Tilley. The fire department there advised no traffic and directed us to the community hall.

We were greeted at the door by a number of beautiful ladies who had prepared soup and sandwiches and casseroles and beds.

It was such generous hospitality that a weary traveller could barely contain emotions.

Providing beds, pillows and quilts for total strangers: The good book talks of “unknowingly entertaining angels.” Fact: This horrible night we were welcomed by angels.

I asked after a fine breakfast: could I make a donation? They refused. I think they didn’t want me taking their deserved reward!

We worried we would miss our flight overseas. Can you imagine our delighted surprise when one of the ladies phoned and enquired whether we made it to the airport.

Thank you fine ladies of Tilley who in tireless acts of compassion took us, homeless and hungry and more than met our needs; and yes, stayed awake while we slept!

You have a reward beyond, but thank you for your solid gold care of many travellers that horrible, blessed night.