Woman, 93, reunites with newspaper carrier who saved her life

For the first time since a Kokomo, Ind. newspaper carrier saved a 93-year-old woman on his paper route, the two met so that she could thank him.

Esther Wilkins has lived alone for many years, but on Wednesday, Nov. 14 she took a fall and couldn’t get up. Wilkins was unable to reach a phone and ended up spending three nights on her kitchen floor.

“I did a lot of praying, you better believe (it),” Wilkins said.

Wilkins knew that Sam Gregory would be there to deliver her paper each day. The two had never met, but Wilkins called him several months ago to request that her paper be placed on her door handle.

“I was yelling, ‘Sam, I need help,’” Wilkins said.

On Friday, Gregory didn’t hear Wilkins inside the home. So, on Saturday morning she managed to drag herself closer to the door, where Gregory heard her calling out.

“Immediately (I) just ran to my car, got my phone and called 911,” Gregory said.

Gregory then went inside, getting Wilkins a glass of water until the paramedics arrive.

“You'll never know how I felt when you said, ‘Help is on the way,’ and you gave me the cold water. I hadn't had not a drop,” Wilkins said to Gregory.

The two met Tuesday, for the first time since that day. Gregory said he’s been getting lots of calls and messages, with people telling him what a great thing he did for Wilkins.

“It feels good … (that) everybody’s thanking me,” Gregory said.

Wilkins will never live alone again. She said that she believes prayer got her through those long days alone. She said she doesn’t think she would have survived another day.

“I'd say God and Sam together, saved my life,” Wilkins said.