The weekend of Aug. 22, I was visiting Pittsburgh with my sister and 21-year-old son. We were in town to help my mother with some medical issues. Being born and raised in Pittsburgh, I never forgot how special Pittsburghers are no matter how far life takes me away from the city. While the trip was not a pleasure trip, I wanted to find the time to take my son to PNC Park for a Pirates game.
On Saturday, we made our way to the stadium, parked the car and got in line to purchase tickets. As we were standing in line, a man walked over to us and asked: "Is it just you two for the game?" My son answered, yes. The man proceeds to tell us he had two tickets he and his wife were not using and would we like to have them. He said the seats were right behind home plate and with that, we said thank you and we never saw him again.
My son and I entered the stadium, amazed at the generosity of this total stranger. As we were looking for our seats, my son showed the tickets to one the stadium workers who told us that we must take a special elevator downstairs to get to our seats. By now I was little skeptical and decided to take a good look at the tickets: The ticket price listed was $135 each. My son also noticed the tickets indicated dinner included.
By then, both of our heads were spinning and we were giddy with excitement. The stadium worker directed us down stairs to the Lexus Club where we enjoyed a fabulous buffet dinner and watched the start of the game on monitors before we went to our seats -- in the second row, right behind home plate.
It was an amazing night. To be able to experience it with my son was priceless. The seats were fantastic, the food was great -- and the Pirates won!
My son and I will never forget the experience, and to the wonderful stranger who walked into our lives that day, thank you very much and God bless you. We will cherish your kindness forever.
-- JILL and NICK REITER, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Every summer, my 94-year-old father waits eagerly for the ripening of Pittsburgh's homegrown tomatoes -- a taste like no other, he says. So, naturally, one day earlier this month, he was very intent on getting out of my car and into the fabric of the East Liberty Farmers Market to begin scouting for the "best" basket of tomatoes.
In his rush to get from the parking lot into the open air market, he walked between two of the farmers stands, moved a couple of boxes, and left me as I locked the car and put money in the meter.
When I subsequently located him in the market, he was holding a paper towel against his leg, which he had bumped on the boxes as he entered the market. His leg was bleeding heavily enough to soak his sock and shoe. Several concerned Pittsburghers promptly gathered around to offer suggestions and help. I am particularly grateful to a young resident from UPMC St. Margaret Hospital who stopped to examine my father's leg and to a young couple and their child who promptly offered the use of the emergency kit that was in their car.
The young man ran off to his car while his wife and child stayed with us, as did the doctor. The bleeding from my father's leg subsided and the doctor and I then wrapped it with gauze from the emergency kit. Once the "excitement" was over, everyone went about the business of gathering his favorite goodies from the market.
Yes, my father did find the perfect basket of tomatoes. But, more important, we again found proof that Pittsburghers are kind and caring. My deepest appreciation to the family and young doctor who helped us that afternoon.
-- SANDY ROSEN, Squirrel Hill
First Published: September 24, 2009, 8:00 a.m.
