My younger sister was recently
at an East End laundromat, minding her wash and waiting to wrap up her clothes.
That's when he came in. A young person. Teenage face. Fast legs. He reached out and grabbed her purse and ran out the back door. Nearly dumbfounded, she stopped in her tracks and did what any tiny-framed 20-something would do -- she ran after him.
For three blocks, her sweet voice called out to the boy running with her belongings: "Please stop, please, give me my purse back, please, I'm a nice person!" They continued running along the Shadyside streets, and then the most unusual thing happened: He stopped.
They began to catch their breath as they slowly strolled together. She told him it was OK and safe. And he must have seen something in her eyes, as he began to tell his story of being a 19-year-old wh
o has been in placement for much of his young life -- no parents, no family, little stability -- relying on an institutional system acting as benevolent mother and father.
A felony under his belt, he was overwhelmed by a life of what he imagines will be unending doom, and he fears he won't land a job with his track record. He needed a miracle. An angel. And there she was, red-faced from running -- my sister.
It turns out good can happen with a sprinkle of trust and flexibility in hearing out the stories of those within our reach. Of course, one should take caution when running after bag-snatchers, but her heart compelled her, and he was lucky for this.
What's more, he returned the purse with all its contents, and he also lent out his contact information should she find an employer willing to take on a dedicated sou
l who just wants to survive. The feelers are currently out for helping this young person find his way. What a wonderful do-gooder story with a twist. I'm so happy to share those powerful genes.
BEE SCHINDLER
Point Breeze
I went to the Churchill Country Club as a substitute for a card party. It was over at 3:30 p.m. and I had gone there on Access, hoping to return by Access.
I called for the return trip and thought I
would be picked up where I was dropped off. I use a walker, and there are only two places to enter the club. I waited and waited, but no one came.
A waitress there kept checking on me, and finally a worker came over and said, "This is ridiculous," because it had gotten to be five hours during which I waited at one door and then another. There were other employees who could have taken me home, but they were from the south end of town and didn't know my area.
So this worker said, "I'll take you home. I know exactly where you live, because my mother was in that facility (Seneca Manor)." She said she had to clean up and would be back for me in 20 minutes, which she was.
When she took me home, I tried to give her a tip, which she refused. She said any time I was in the area to just call her if I needed a ride. What a wonderful person.
LAURA CARRETA
Penn Hills
When I was grocery shopping at the Giant Eagle in Edgewood Towne Centre last week, I was grateful to a young lady who stopped my loaded cart when it was getting away while I was opening the back of my car.
She even held the cart until I unloaded it, and then also returned the cart to the store. Thank you, again, for keeping my cart from hitting other cars.
RUTH NELSON
Monroeville
A couple of weeks ago, my family was driving to Dravosburg to visit a funeral home. We lived there at one time, and we thought we could remember how to get there.
It was dark and raining, and we got lost. My son stopped at a gas station to ask directions. The employees there didn't know how to help us, but a kind gentleman in a
truck told us to follow him. We did, and he took us to the right road.
We thanked the man but didn't get his name. He was a reminder that there are many good people in Pittsburgh.
EDNA MCCALLISTER
West View
On a recent Sunday after church, my husband, daughter and I went to Denny's for breakfast.
When we were leaving, my husband was informed as he paid our bill that a lady had left an envelope with a donation in it to help pay for our food, in appreciation of his service in World War II. He was wearing his hat with his ship's name on it.
We did not get the identification of that person, but we really hope that she may be
reading this. We really appreciate her thoughtfulness.
GLORIA MURTHA
West Mifflin
After a recent shopping trip with my sister to Ross Park Mall, I returned home and realized I was missing one of my purchases -- a Christmas gift!
We checked our bags over and over and mentally retraced our steps to no avail. Since my sister lives near the mall and shops there frequently, she called Guest Services to see if anything was turned in to the lost and found. I must admit, I was very pessimistic.
Miraculously, a cleaning person had found my purchase in the food court and turned it
in. My sister picked it up. Thank you to the cleaning person and others who helped.
HELEN ROBERTS
Oakmont
On a trip to Moio's Italian Pastry Shop in Monroeville with our grandsons, I wanted to buy them the crispy pastries (elephant ears) among all the other deli
cious pastries.
I was buying the last four, and then a gentleman next to me asked if they had any more. The salesgirl said they were baking more. I asked her to put two in a bag for the gentleman and two for us, but with a smile he refused and said that was not necessary, even though I told him he would be craving one all day. He smiled again and said that it would be fine.
When it was time for me to gather up all the Italian pastries and pay for them, the cashier said the gentleman wanted her to wait until he left the store for her to tell me he had paid for the four crispy elephant ears I ordered! Our thank you to that very fine gentleman.
NATALIE D'AMICO
Elizabeth Townsh
ip
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, my wife and I were shopping at the Giant Eagle in the Waterworks Mall.
Returning to our car, it would not start. We called AAA emergency road service and were told the service truck would arrive in 60 minutes. This would not do, as we had to pick our nephew up at school in 20 minutes. We raised the hood and waited.
Using her cell phone, my wife began making calls to work out alternate arrang
ements. Just then, a man approached our car carrying a blue box
with booster cables attached. He went around to the front of the car, connected the cables and told us to try and start the car. Thankfully, it started on the first try.
The man disconnected his cables, closed the hood and was on his way. We did not get a chance to properly thank him. Thanks to him, we were able to resume our normal routine with minimum delay. I hope he reads this and knows how much we appreciated his help.
DENNIS IURLANO
Sharpsburg
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