Bob Ward's 'True Christmas Story'

This happened to me during Christmas 1985/86 (can't exactly remember) when I was fresh out of college and I was working my first TV News job at a New Hampshire TV station.

That year the Christmas scheduling gods smiled on me: I scored Christmas Eve Night AND Christmas Day off.

My parents in Massachusetts were hosting a Christmas Eve party, and for once, I could celebrate with them.

But not only that, I could share quality time with my family and friends all day Christmas.

It was all falling into place.

A Christmas miracle, I thought.

But the real Christmas miracle was about to happen.

I clearly remember a light snow falling (I know that's a cliche, but there really was a Christmas Eve snow) as I left the station, probably at 6:30 p.m., after the news ended.

I had already packed my LL Bean overnight bag into the car, right alongside the gifts I had already wrapped. I just wanted to get home, as quickly as possible, just like everyone else.

I brushed the snow off my car, jumped in, and turned the key. That's when it happened.

Or, more accurately, it didn't happen.

The engine wouldn't turn over. I tried a couple of times. Nothing. Dead.

My car at the time, was not exactly what anyone would call reliable. I probably kept local garages in business with all of the mishaps and breakdowns that car caused me over the years. I'm fairly certain I had a set of jumper cables in the trunk. But to be honest, I don't remember asking anyone to try and jump my car.

One thing was brutally clear: my car wasn't going anywhere. Not this night.

I called home. There was no one available to pick me up AND drive me back on the 26th. My roommates had already gone home to their families. It looked as if I'd be stuck in the apartment alone for Christmas. Not looking good. Not at all.

So, I called AAA.

A short time later, Bill arrived in his tow truck to the news station parking lot. It took Bill only a few minutes to diagnose the problem. I honestly don't remember if the issue was the battery or the alternator. It was likely both.

Bill told me he could tow my car to his garage, and fix it. But he said he wouldn't be able to get to it until Dec. 26.

I still remember that sinking feeling; how cold the night suddenly felt, and how I was about to disappoint the people closest to me.

I asked Bill, "Is there any way you could fix the car tonight? It's Christmas Eve, I have no other way home."

Every other garage in Manchester, NH was closed by this time.

Bill thought about it for less time than it took him to diagnose the trouble with my car.

"You know what?" he said. "I am on call for AAA all night tonight and all day tomorrow. I'm not celebrating Christmas. I want you to take my car."

Before that night, I had never met Bill. Maybe he saw me on the news, but I doubt it. Back then, our little station was fighting for every single viewer against the bigger Boston stations. We hadn't yet made a name for ourselves. Plus, I was just a reporter, on the air for 90 seconds. I wasn't what anyone would call high profile.

Not with a straight face.

I say all that to emphasize the fact that Bill and I were complete strangers. And Bill was offering me, a stranger, his car. I could have been anyone.

"Bill, thanks, I really appreciate the offer, but I can't afford to rent your car," I started.

"Just return it with a full tank of gas and we'll be good," Bill said. "I want you to take it. It's all right. When you get back, I'll fix your car."

To say I was blown away, is the understatement of the century. Even today, I still can't believe it.

Bill's kindness meant the world to me. It still does. I didn't make a lot of money back then, but I was able to leave him a small gift on the front seat when I returned his car on the 26th.

That small gift does not even come close to repaying the kindness Bill extended to me on that long ago Christmas Eve.

It's funny: I don't remember a single gift I gave or received that Christmas. I still vividly remember this.

This year, like many of you, I am in a race against time searching for gifts at the malls, or I'm blazing through websites trying to score a thing I can wrap and place under a Christmas tree. It is all so overwhelming.

Yet, what I have learned in this life is that the things that really matter, the things that truly live up to the beauty of the Christmas Spirit, can't be bought or sold, they can only be given.

It's a life lesson in kindness and charity that Bill taught me years ago in a TV station parking lot next to a broken down car on a snowy Christmas Eve.
This really happened.

I wish you all a beautiful, memorable Christmas, with nothing but great things to come in the New Year.
Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. I know you have many other sources of news, but you still trust me. Thank you. That is a gift, I cannot repay.

Finally, if the opportunity presents itself to do something kind for someone else, whatever it is, please do it.
And Bill, if you are reading this. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Cox Media Group