Random acts of kindness
Thankful for the help received amid car trouble
My normally utterly reliable 2008 Honda Civic acted up on Dec. 22, stalling and refusing to start again after I stopped three times to do errands, but it got me home.
I decided not to take it to the airport for a trip West for Christmas with family. Still, it mainly worked, so after not using it after I returned, I drove it to my favorite auto shop without any problems, and left it with them while I bought some essentials at Whole Foods.
The boss drove my car around a bit in my absence and it did not misbehave, so he could not diagnose the problem. So hoping all was well, I stashed my food and set off for home. After turning right onto Shady Avenue, a team of men were taking down a very tall tree on the corner and there was warning tape on the right side of the street.
I stopped in the middle, and when it was safe, started to move forward. But the car would not start, and even the brake pedal did not work, though the emergency brake did.
I was stuck in the middle of the road with cars coming up behind me, whom I waved on. But what to do?
First, two tree guys pushed the car across Shady to the parking lot of the Episcopal church so I was not blocking anyone. Then a man — the first person to come to my window and ask me if I needed help — called AAA for me (my cellphone was useless; it needed a recharge), and waited while I made contact and a tow was promised. And then he stayed with me until the tow truck came, my car was deposited at my auto shop, and then drove me home with my groceries.
So, several random acts of kindness, but especially one from a man from Bangladesh who is doing research at Pitt. He is a Muslim, and stressed that his faith emphasizes kindness to anyone in trouble. When my car is functioning again, I hope to treat him and his wife to dinner.
ANN S. HARRIS
Squirrel Hill
List of everyday acts of kindness lauded
I read this column every Thursday. It makes me smile and think of all the kindness I have received:
• I was walking down the street carrying a large table lamp when a nice young man who was walking in front of me opened the lighting store door for me and went on his way.
• The yellow tire light in my car went on, I stopped to get air, and a gentleman in the convenience store offered to help me and did the whole job.
• An 8- or 9 year-old boy held Macy’s door open for me, and when I thanked him he gave me a big smile and said, “You’re welcome.”
• A young man paid for my dinner, and when I asked him why he said, “You remind me of my grandma.”
• A neighbor saw a beautiful plant at the grocery store and bought it for me — for no special occasion. I just like plants.
• I went to the grocery store and bought milk and orange juice. When I went to the cashier, there were four women ahead of me with very full carts and they all insisted that I go ahead of them.
These are examples of all the kind people who we don’t hear about — except on Thursdays in the Post-Gazette.
ANN ROPER
Mt. Lebanon
Good Samaritan makes for holiday to remember
On Christmas Day, my wife went out for a walk, tripped on a broken sidewalk, fell and broke her upper arm.
She was in great pain and didn’t know how she was going to get home. Fortunately, there was a woman sitting in her car nearby who saw what happened and got out and asked if she could help.
My wife said she needed a ride home, and this nice lady immediately said she’d be happy to take her. My wife never got her name, but this good Samaritan is from Waynesboro. So if she sees this, please know that my wife greatly appreciates your kindness because it helped make this a Christmas to remember.
DAVID ALBERT
Oakland