Today I had the good fortune of tripping and hitting my head on the pavement of Goshen Crossing Shopping Center. I say good fortune because, if that hadn’t happened, I would not have been as aware of the wonderful community in which we live.

From the instant my head hit the pavement, concerned neighbors rushed to help. One lady (closest to where I fell) brought me something to sit on and stayed with me until my husband and the ambulance got there. A man picking up a pizza with his little girl called the ambulance and stayed as well, as did another lady who was picking up her dry cleaning and who went to get me a bottle of water.

An employee of the pet store at the shopping center brought me two bags of ice for my rapidly swelling head, and yet another person talked to my husband on the phone to reassure him. To all of them, and to the ambulance guys, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish I knew your names so I could give you credit here. Please know that I will pay it forward. I am blessed to live in such a warm, caring community.

Cristina Price, Laytonsville