Thank you, whoever you are

One year when I was small, my parents took my brother and me on a Halloween haunted train ride at the Portland, Oregon zoo.

Everything went well until the time came to get out of the train and go on a haunted house type of tour. I don't remember much, but I think it must have been a haunted mine theme. I'm not too sure. As I said, I was pretty young and didn't really grasp what was going on.

We got into carts and started on our ride. Of course, people dressed up to look scary started jumping out at us. I didn't understand this was all make-believe, so after a couple of "Boos" I was scared silly.

The climax came when a man jumped out at us and I crouched down in the cart, whimpering, "Don't hurt me, please don't hurt me!" He stopped, pulled back a little, then waved solemnly at me. At this change I started to calm down. I sat up and looked back at where he now stood behind us. As we pulled away I waved back at him, watching him until he was out of sight.

I don't remember the rest of the ride. I vaguely remember finishing it and getting back on the train, but that's all.

That was such a very kind thing to do, not to mention a pretty quick witted response (in my opinion.) I wish I knew who he was. He turned a very frightening experience into a very good memory. It would be nice to let him know what a good thing he did that day and that I remember it very clearly even now.

So, if you happen to know someone who, in his youth, worked at a haunted house at the Portland, Oregon zoo, ask him if he remembers a small, frightened girl, and if he does, tell him, "Thanks," for me. Better yet, send him here and I'll thank him myself.