As an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute member, I take classes at the University of Pittsburgh. Two weeks ago, carrying my book bag, umbrella, coat and purse, I left the William Pitt Union building, where one of my classes meets, and headed to the Cathedral of Learning for my next class.

Prior to leaving the union, however, I stopped in the lobby to put on my coat and retrieve my umbrella from my book bag. Arriving at the next class, I reached for my pen and discovered, to my horror, that I no longer had my purse. Drowning in an instant cold sweat, I could only think of my keys, my cell phone, my cards, and all of the other vitals lodged in my missing bag.

Since I had just come from the union, it was obvious that my lifeline was something in that building and probably in the lobby. I was so frazzled that it took me about 10 minutes to exit the cathedral -- I couldn't locate the exits.

Back at the union building, I noted the empty table where I had placed my belongings to put on my coat. Nothing! In my weakened condition I made my way to the information desk, as a long shot, to inquire if by chance my purse had been turned in.

Wonder of wonders -- a young male student had noticed my purse on the lobby table and had turned it in at the information desk, intact. Teary-eyed, I retrieved my belongings.

Because the kind information desk staff did not know the name of the student, I have no way to thank him. I want him to know how much I appreciate his taking the extra step to retrieve my purse and turn it in to the appropriate place. What a wonderful deed he performed.

CAROLE COHEN Shadyside

One afternoon last week, I had a very close encounter with a sidewalk in Squirrel Hill. I tripped and fell face-first onto the concrete as well as landing on my knee -- a brand new one from a replacement operation in June!

I was quite a mess. The first person who came to my aid was a lovely young man doing landscaping work across the street. He was sweet, calming and had the presence of mind to ask his colleague to bring over some ice from their cooler.

A dear friend was also with me and called 911, two kind men came to assist, and an aquatics instructor from the Jewish Community Center immediately stopped to check me out. The paramedics arrived and determined I did not need to go to the hospital.

I am so grateful for the kind and loving support from everyone who assisted me that day. There was a lot of blood but, happily, nothing was broken -- except my glasses!

It has not been almost a week and I confess my face is a rainbow of colors. I am wearing sunglasses but know I will not need a mask come Halloween -- just hope the kids don't run away in fright.

I moved to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2000. I loved the town then and love it even more now. Thank you, Pittsburgh -- who knew you would become my true home?

MARGARET O'CONNELL

Highland Park

I would like to express thanks to a man in Penn Hills who was nice enough to give my wife and I a jump start when we needed it most.

After fueling our car for a 10-hour drive to see our newborn niece in New York, our battery died. After asking nine people, including two Department of Public Works workers, only one man stepped up.

What is wrong with people in Penn Hills not willing to help people in need? Case in point: My younger sister pulled over in a local pharmacy parking lot due to her 6-year-old son having a seizure. She opened all doors in the minivan and screamed for help. Three people came out of the pharmacy, looked, then got in their cars and left.

Any one of those three could have run inside the store for a 911 call. Why didn't they? I don't know.

I would just like to let people know: Be nice to each other and help your neighbors out. Someday you might need help, too. By the way, that nice man helping my wife and I accepted $10 for two minutes of his time. That would be $300 per hour. Nicety pays off.

MICHAEL KRAHLING

Penn Hills

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