One afternoon I was inside Wal-Mart when one of our notorious summer storms popped up. Dodging shopping carts and trying to pick up everything on my shopping list as well as items for my mother, I was oblivious to what was happening outside.

Anxious to get out of there, I pushed my overloaded cart out through the automotive area. The storm was going full force.

My mother had recently undergone foot surgery and was at home waiting for my return. I located my cell phone amid all the bounty and called her to explain that I was going to wait out the storm and would be there as soon as I could.

A Wal-Mart employee, Franklin, apparently heard the exasperation in my voice and asked me which car I was driving and for the keys. I was dumbfounded!

He smiled broadly and said, "It's just another service Wal-Mart offers our customers!" He ran through the downpour and moved my car as close as possible to the door. Then he helped me load everything in the trunk and sprinted back inside. I was in total shock. I've never had service like that anywhere.

Thank you, Franklin, for showing me that chivalry is not dead!

Shirley Favela

Southern Pines