In January 1973, 16-year-old Diann Droste was stranded in a snowstorm during a Greyhound bus trip, but two nuns stepped in to provide food, shelter, and kindness, an act that has inspired her for decades. Peering out the bus window, Diann saw snow accumulating rapidly as she traveled home to Waterloo, Iowa, from visiting a pen pal in Minnesota. The bus driver, citing unsafe conditions, detoured to a Holiday Inn in Albert Lea, Minnesota, leaving passengers to spend the night there.
Diann, with only a few dollars left, panicked as she watched other passengers—all older adults—secure rooms. She called her mother, but dangerous weather prevented a rescue, leaving her to contemplate sleeping in the lobby. As she sat alone, two women from the bus, dressed plainly with sensible shoes, approached and invited her to dinner. Initially declining due to lack of funds, she accepted when they offered to pay.
At the Perkins restaurant, the women revealed they were Sisters of Mercy, Catholic nuns teaching in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Over burgers and fries, Diann relaxed, sharing details about her life. Concerned for her safety, the nuns invited her to share their motel room with two queen beds. Despite modern reservations, Diann felt secure and agreed, spending the evening playing canasta and bonding with her new friends.
The next morning, the bus resumed its journey after the storm cleared. On board, Diann continued chatting with the nuns and other passengers, fostering a sense of camaraderie. As they neared Waterloo, she offered to repay them, but the nuns refused, insisting on anonymity and blessing her before she disembarked. Her mother, waiting anxiously, expressed gratitude for their kindness.
Decades later, Diann, now a retired nurse and grandmother, reflects on how this experience shaped her outlook. She often tells the story to emphasize choosing kindness over being right, a mantra she adopted from the encounter. Although she never learned the nuns’ names or could thank them, their act motivated her to pay it forward through small gestures of compassion toward strangers.
The story, recently highlighted by CNN and AOL, underscores timeless themes of human connection and generosity. Diann’s tale resonates in an era where such trust might seem rare, reminding us of the impact simple acts can have across generations. As she looks back, she hopes the nuns knew their kindness left a lasting legacy, inspiring others to embrace empathy in daily interactions.
