Sunday, July 27, 2025, 1:45AM | 
MENU
Advertisement
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
1
MORE

Random Acts of Kindness: How we got to the funeral on time

Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette

Random Acts of Kindness: How we got to the funeral on time

My aunt passed away in April and we celebrated her life in Pittsburgh on a Monday in August. My uncle spent months planning the perfect memorial. Friends and relatives flew in from all over the country, including me and my mom.

We managed to make our flight, make it to our hotel and make it to my uncle’s house. The day of the service, we left early, having been warned that parking was a problem. We got to our destination, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. It was one of my Aunt Beth’s favorite places.

Parking was definitely an issue. My mom and I drove around, up and down winding park roads, searching for a space. A movie was being filmed nearby so the majority of parking spots were off limits. The service started at 11 a.m. At 10:55, we parked and decided to walk — up a hill, four miles or so, in the rain. I was convinced we’d be ticketed or towed, so I took a picture of our rental so I could ID it in the tow lot. I noticed a sign indicating we’d parked in a “Pay to Park” area but saw no meters. I turned around and — wearing a shower cap on my head in lieu of an umbrella — flagged down the first car I saw.

Advertisement

A driver in a small SUV stopped. I told her in seven seconds where we were from, where we needed to be and why we weren’t going to make it. In fewer seconds, she told us to get in. She had a kid’s car seat and moving boxes but there was room for me and my mom. This amazing stranger, whose name is Jess, drove us to the conservatory’s doors. Before we got out, she asked if I’d paid for parking and explained I needed to download an app. I told her my head was exploding at that point. She asked me for the car’s license plate number. We thanked her. We offered her cash. She didn’t accept. She wished us well. We made it just in time.

After the service we got a ride back to the car. It was where we’d left it and, as I expected would happen, had a paper pinned beneath the windshield wiper. On looking closer I saw that someone had written “Not a Ticket!” on an envelope. Inside was the most beautiful note explaining the most beautiful gesture. The stranger who stopped for a couple of gals walking in the rain had not only picked us up, but paid for our parking and circled back around to leave that kind note. In our 4-mile meet and greet, I was able to learn that Jess was in the middle of a move and has two little children. As a busy mom myself, I understood that our predicament likely added to a day that was already beyond busy for her.

Jess’s kindness is so humbling and will never be forgotten. I think my Aunt Beth would love this story — especially the handwritten note. She valued handwritten letters so much and sent a lion’s share in her lifetime. I’m sharing this because it is proof there is so much goodness in this world. Also — a hotel shower cap is actually a good and reliable stand-in for a proper umbrella.

DONNA PITMAN

Advertisement

Kansas City, Mo.

 

Cost-cutting at Kohl’s

I was in the Kohl’s store in Robinson shopping for school clothes. Since we have three girls to shop for, we look for every discount and bargain we can find. I had forgotten to bring my discount coupon. The woman behind me in line kindly offered me hers and I was able to save and extra $40.

I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart for her generosity. It certainly helped the school shopping process and I can not thank her enough.

CAROL KEELEY

Robinson

Has someone done you right? Send your Random Act of Kindness to page2@post-gazette.com, or write to Portfolio, Post-Gazette, 358 North Shore Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh PA 15212.

First Published: September 28, 2017, 12:28 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
A huge Canadian flag carried by a crowd in Montreal in 1995, before a referendum on Quecec’s independence. Dennis Jett suggests Pennsylvania do the same in reverse.
1
opinion
Dennis Jett: Pennsylvania should become part of Canada
There is a large covered porch at the front of the house at 115 Forest Hills Road in Forest Hills.
2
life
Buying Here: Forest Hills home in its own 'mini-forest' listed for $425,000
A woman charged under the name Shannon Nicole Womack is accused of using fake names, fake references and fake credentials at staffing agencies to secure nursing jobs across Pennsylvania and beyond. Pennsylvania State Police urged health care providers across the state to check their records and study the woman’s photo to help identify other facilities she might have duped.
3
news
Pittsburgh 'fake nurse' linked to 5 more Pennsylvania facilities
Several houses are shown along N. Dallas Avenue near Penn Avenue in Point Breeze with “For Sale” signs in the front yard, Friday, March 21, 2025.
4
business
A cooling market and patient buyers are causing many Pittsburgh home sellers to cut their prices
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a touchdown pass to DK Metcalf during Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on Friday, July 25, 2025.
5
sports
Steelers training camp observations: Aaron Rodgers, receivers bring 'wow' factor to Day 2
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.  (Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette)
Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST life
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story