ANNA MONICA / L’Observateur / June 6, 2000

Acts of kindness, care and consideration, without premeditation, are probably the most outstanding exhibits of the character of people, I believe.

Random acts of kindness are what that is called. They probably occur moreoften than you and I ever hear of, and that is unfortunate because the people who perform them are truly unknown heroes.

Some of this story is “for the birds,” but I was there. It took place at my ownhome where my carpenter and friend, Cameron Heltz, is putting up siding.

We were outside talking about it when this bird came along with food in her mouth, unable to find her nest. Cameron explained that the nest, with babybirds, was in my attic, and not knowing he had covered the space. She wasn’table to get in there to feed them and the babies would die.

We looked at each other and knew Cameron would be the one to get into the attic to rescue the nest. Who could let that mama bird not be able to get toher children? When Cameron came down, nest in hand, those baby birds had their little mouths open begging for food, just like you see in pictures.

But it wasn’t enough for Cameron that they should simply be rescued. Hethen disappeared from his busy job and later returned with a homemade milk jug nest which he carefully set the babies in and got on a 30-foot ladder (my house is two-story) to tie it close to the area where mama bird had left them. We watched for several days, and sure enough mama bird had foundand nourished them, and soon their little heads were poking out for us to see. Now the nest is empty. My siding is a mess from the droppings, butCameron and I are well pleased that the right thing was done.

Christy Himel of Garyville didn’t even think about how kind she was when she sat at least four hours straight holding son Scot’s little Lab, Buster, because he was new and lonesome. Then there are people, thankfully, like MaryFrances Falgoust of Garyville, who is always taking in strays, bringing them to the vet and feeding them. She most recently took in two kittens thatsome mean person wanted to “go drop off.” A favorite snake story concerns David Ramirez and neighbor, young Miles Peckhaus of LaPlace. Upon discovering a 6-foot snake, David got a noosearound it and hung it on a fence while deciding what to do. Along comesanimal lover with a knowledge of snakes, Miles, who tells David, “That’s a good snake,” and proceeds to put it around his neck, takes it home to his mom, Karen, and asks her to help him nurse it back to health.

Karen cooperates with Miles and easily accepts the snake because they do this all the time and already have an Iguana and a python. They kept itovernight, put it in a cage and took care of it, and the next day they released it in a safe place. Talk about random acts of kindness!The Ramirez family is very accustomed to stray animals as Donna always helps those that hang around the house. She and Miles jointly rescued kittensfrom an old van and a dog and Donna has been caring for them.

The funniest snake story award goes to the LaPlace Gauthreauxs. Michaelcalled the cops upon discovering that a really big one was the cause of their dog (another) Buster’s barking at 3 in the morning. Seeing what the problemwas, the officer asked, “What do you want me to do? I’m afraid of snakes, too.” Anyhow, according to Yvette, it was a funny sight with the two of themtrying to catch the snake with a paper bag. What the outcome was I neverlearned, but I do know that all these acts were kind, non-violent and assisted nature by preserving life. I believe that’s the way it should be. Thanks, folks. The world could use millions more like you.

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