Random acts of kindness
Though decades apart, kind acts impactful
I love the goodness section in the Sunday Post-Gazette. I have two Random Acts of Kindness items to share.
First, I am a senior citizen. I was eating lunch alone at the Bob Evans restaurant in Bridgeville just before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
I brought along some magazines that I was reading while I ate my lunch. When I was ready to leave, I asked the waitress for my check. She said that two construction workers eating at the restaurant saw me eating alone and they paid my check. Then they left.
I did not know them, I did not see them, and they did not stick around to be thanked. Thank you so much to these kind guys who provided me with a random act of kindness as a wonderful surprise that made my day.
Second, when I was graduating from Fort Cherry High School back in 1971, I knew that college was not an option for me based on my family’s inability to pay.
Iwas in the business program,so I took classes such as shorthandand typing, among others.My grades and skills in thebusiness program were verygood. I intended to enter theworkforce immediately aftergraduation to work as a secretary.
My shorthand teacher, Mrs. Marie Smiley, asked me whether I would continue my education after high school. When I explained that we could not afford it, she offered to pay for my advanced education. I declined the offer; however, it was an indication she had faith in me and my abilities, and it inspired me to start taking one college class at a time once I started to work.
It took me 25 years overall to obtain my bachelor’s degree and my MBA, but I did it. Was Mrs. Smiley’s offer to pay just an offer of a loan? I never knew, and frankly, it did not matter.
Thank you, Mrs. Smiley, for your faith and inspiration 50 years ago that helped me change my life and become the first in my family to graduate with an advanced degree.
KATHI M. JOBKAR Oakdale
AHN makes COVID-19 vaccination easy
My husband and I would like to thank all the Allegheny Health Network planners, employees and volunteers who made our visit to PNC Park for a COVID-19 vaccination on Feb. 6 a pleasant experience.
All the many people we came in contact with were extremely kind and helpful. We were amazed at how well everything was planned, from parking to each step, including our vaccination.
ELEANOR and JOE WITT Pine
The Post-Gazette’s Kevin Flowers coordinates Random Acts of Kindness. If someone has done you or someone else right, please tell him about it at kflowers@post-gazette.com. You also can write Random Acts of Kindness at the Post-Gazette, 358 North Shore Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.