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.
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
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.
