Traveling down the endless expanse known as "the 5", mile after
mile. of agriculture, barren roadsides, and cows, we were almost there. Almost at the gas station. A carefully selected halfway point of our trip, orchestrated to simultaneously break up the trip and refuel our parched minivan.
That little light warning us that the tank was near empty could wait. Until it couldn't. And there we were on the shoulder in dry 95 degree heat waiting for AAA. And of course, the unavoidable question of why? If G-d has a Master Plan, and everything happens for a reason, what possible purpose did being stranded serve?
The answer came in the form of a black car. At 70 MPH, my colorful yarmulka had been noticed by an Israeli guy and he stopped to offer help. Shalom! How are you my friend? I assured him that we were 
soon to be rescued by a hard-working tow truck driver. However, as the saying goes, when two Jews get together, it should manifest in a Mitzvah. He had already done one Mitzvah by stopping to help. Would he like to do a second by wrapping Tefillin?
With a promise that he would put them on as soon as he got home to Los Angeles, we parted ways, smiles on our faces, inspired. Inspired by the power of a good deed. Inspired how simple it is to lift someone's spirits. Inspired that a little piece of material on my head could elicit such a deep sense of camaraderie. Inspired that even in what appears to be a wasteland, we are never alone.
In this day and age, when it's not just cars whizzing past, but when everyone seems so busy and caught up in their own pursuits and destination plans, put your brakes on. Slow down, see someone else's predicament, and offer a smile. Let them know that you see them. It will make their day. It will make your day. And it will leave the world brighter than before.