A few weeks ago I was running a few errands in Monaca. I was feeling a bit droopy and decided to stop at the Starbucks drive-through for a cuppa. Since I was on my way to get a haircut, I ordered a coffee for my hairdresser.

I moved ahead to the pickup window, where I was second in line. Someone in a dark SUV was at the window, taking what seemed to be a long time to get their order accomplished. I had to stop myself from getting a bit vexed, telling myself it was a beautiful day and I wasn't in a hurry.

Finally the SUV left. I drove up to the window and stopped. The barista, with a little smile, told me that lady who just pulled away in the dark SUV bought both my coffees.

I was frankly just blown away. I thought it was the most amazing gesture -- there was no way to thank her, no way to know who it was, no way for her to get any kind of acknowledgement, just a simple kindness put out into the universe. It was a lesson on so many levels.

I thought it was such a cool thing to do that I then paid for the person behind me in line. It didn't cost much and made me feel so good! The barista told me that a couple days before, the same thing had happened in Robinson, and it went on all day.

Aren't human beings remarkable creatures? The news is so bad these days, and so many people are hurting. The SUV lady's simple act was a great reminder to me that caring, special people are everywhere. Now when I go through the Starbucks drive-through, I always "pay it backwards."

-- DIANE L. GLEASON, Beaver Falls

On Dec. 15 of last year, at approximately 6:30 p.m., I was leaving my job at the Post Office on Grant Street Downtown to go to my car parked at the Strip District. As I was crossing Grant at the crosswalk, I tripped on a brick and fell forward.

Luckily for me, there was a gentleman standing on the corner waiting to cross in the other direction and he saw me fall. He yelled out, "Are you OK? Can you get up?"

"No, I don't think so," I said.

He came out into the street and helped me up and got me to the sidewalk. Right away, I knew that something was wrong with both of my wrists. He called an ambulance and waited with me until it came.

When I got to the emergency room, I learned that both wrists were broken. I had to have surgery on both of them.

I just returned to work in the first week of March and am doing well.

I am just so grateful that this man was kind enough to stop and help me. I never got his name or phone number. But he is definitely in my prayers. Thank you, sir, for your kindness and assistance.

-- MARILYN J. BARTKO, McCandless

Our family wishes to send our sincere thanks to the caring and compassionate people in Lawrenceville who tried to save our brother on March 7. He had a heart attack driving home from work and was able to stop his car safely at 44th and Davison Street.

These people let us know that he was surrounded very quickly and that they did everything they could to try and save him until professionals arrived at the scene.

We were given the names of some of the people who were first at his side and they let us know he was not alone in those final minutes. It helped us a great deal to know he went quickly and did not suffer long.

We were so sorry that we were not with him, but were consoled knowing there were other wonderful people who befriended him in the end. This very special community had been more concerned about trying to help him than hospitals and doctors had been in the past year.

It's a shame that in this country if you don't have health insurance, Medicaid or enough money to pay in advance for medical care, your life means nothing.

Thank you again to all our new friends. We will keep you in our prayers.

-- ANN STANTON, Baden