To Chris' family, I have a wonderful story about Chris' abiding kindness. In 1972, my girl friend, Peg, and I at age 21 & 22 were hitchhiking through Europe. We'd been to England, Wales and Ireland but were running very low on money. We heard through the American Express grapevine that there was work to be had at the Munich Olympics, so we arrived in Munich almost broke. The Olympics hiring office told us we were hired, with free room, free board and 5 DM (West German Marks) per hour. This was a total win/win/win for us as we were down to being hungry. The hitch was, we needed to go to the Munich City Offiice to get work permits. When we got there, each permit required a 10 DM fee, and we didn't have it. I went to the American Counsel Office to ask for a 20 DM loan to be paid back at first pay check, and was undiplomatically told they were not in the business of supporting American hippies who ran out of money. I then went to the German Red Cross and donated my blood for 20 DM, and nearly passed out when I got up, having been a day or so without eating. We needed to eat that we spent more than 10 DM so back to our dire situation. We were out in front of the American Express office in group of fellow young travelers telling our sad story when suddenly from outside the group, a guy jumped into the circle and said to me, "I'll loan you the 20DM." It was Chris Miracle and he was a miracle to us. He saved us with his gracious kindness, refusing repayment. I know I insisted on repaying him but my journal doesn't say I did. Ann, you must have been there when this happened. It was Peg in Geneva, NY who happened to Google him recently, only to find his Obituary, and email it to me in Los Angeles. God shined on us through Chris Miracle, a man of pure Christian generosity. Peg and I have told this story for 51 years now, and will never forget his selfless kindness to two strangers in dire need of a bit of help. Thank you Chris. God Bless You.
John Butcher
Peg Abbott
