The ‘Bad Weather’ Friend
In an era dominated by individualism and self-interest, one retiree emerges as a beacon of community-centric spirit in Fort Worth, Texas. When Apryl Goodwin, 46, was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she found herself in a tight predicament: “I had no transportation and I didn’t know what to do.” In parallel, retiree Lyn Story, 64, had free time on her hands. When she read about Goodwin’s situation on a neighborhood community app, she offered to drive her. Goodwin was apprehensive: “I kind of ignored it cause it’s a stranger. So she messaged me again and said, ‘I’ll take you. I mean it. I’m honest. I, you know, I’m sincere.'” Over the past year, Story has driven Goodwin to 25 radiation appointments, 6 chemotherapy treatments, and countless doctors visits. Once strangers, the two have become life-changing friends. Another community member, Kevin Horrigan, found himself in hard times that drove him out of retirement. Being legally blind, Horrigan couldn’t drive to work. When Story caught word of this, she began driving Horrigan to and from work everyday. Reflecting on the experience, she began thinking of herself as a ‘bad weather friend’. “You know, fair weather friends are only there when everything’s good for you. But a bad weather friend is there to help you in times of need,” Story told CBS News. “The best way for me to feel good is to help other people feel good, just to make it easier for them.”
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