Good people inspire good stories

We don’t need stories like Meghan Bowker’s to realize the generous nature of those who call the Mat-Su Valley home.

Her tale of loss, recovery and the selfless efforts of a neighbor may not change your life, but it warms our hearts to know there are still honest people in our midst who set great examples for us all. Dr. Joseph Hawkins, a Palmer chiropractor, is one such person.

As is told by Frontiersman Lifestyles Editor J.J. Harrier in today’s edition, Hawkins came across a lost digital camera when his family was visiting the Matanuska Glacier. Rather than rejoice that he had acquired a new camera, Hawkins went above and beyond to find the camera’s owner and return it.

We commend his efforts that, while proven eventful, had no guarantees of success. With the exemption of some images on the camera’s memory card he didn’t recognize, for all Hawkins knew the owner could have been in Canada, the Lower 48 or anywhere else around the world. Instead, he printed out some of the photos, posted them at his office and actively sought out anyone who would recognize the people in the mystery photos.

After six weeks his efforts paid off. Seems one of the photos included Bowker’s daughter and her teacher from school. A patient recognized the teacher.

Hawkins selfless efforts are a fine example for us all. Not only did he immediately recognize the camera wasn’t his, he acted to get it back to its owner. Many of us in Hawkins’ place may have sought out the nearest ranger or trooper and given them custody of the find. By walking a mile in Bowker’s shoes, Hawkins thought about how he would feel if he had lost a camera full of family images and memories that can’t be recreated.

Thank you, Dr. Hawkins, for proving the axiom that geography does not make a community, people do.