After a wonderful Alaskan cruise, my two octogenarian sisters and I went through special airport security (I'd had a knee replacement) and needed to go through customs since we traveled through Canada.

We flew from Seattle to Atlanta; I rode in a wheelchair at least one mile from the Atlanta arrival gate to the Pittsburgh departure gate for our last leg home. Even with the wheelchair, I was exhausted at this point of our trip in the Atlanta airport.

As I entered the plane to Pittsburgh, a young passenger was standing in the aisle. This lovely lady took my boarding pass and said, "I am traveling in business class, and you are going to sit here in my seat, and I will sit in your coach seat." I was in shock as she led me to her seat.

I thoroughly enjoyed my comfortable, first-ever business class ride home to Pittsburgh. Since I was the first to depart the plane in a wheelchair, I was unable to see this wonderful woman to thank her for her selfless act.

On my tiring trip home, I thought, "No more traveling for me!" But with experiencing the kindness of good people, perhaps I will!

HELEN FANZO

Brentwood

A few months back, I was at a Shop 'n Save in Kennedy. When I got to the register, the cashier rang up the amount I owed. When I went into my wallet, I found I didn't have enough money to cover the groceries I had, so I told the cashier to take away some of the groceries until I had enough just for the amount of money I had.

Behind me was a lady and her daughter listening to my problem, and she insisted to pay the amount I didn't have, and for me to keep all the groceries I had. I didn't want her to do that, but she wouldn't hear of it.

I said for her to please give me her name and address and I would reimburse her, but she refused to do that, too. I practically pleaded with her to give me her address, to no avail.

She not only is kind, she also is an angel and a blessing. Thank you, whoever you are. You're the number one act of kindness.

JULIA WOUCHKO

Coraopolis

I was on my way to the AAA building in East Liberty on Oct. 29 to go to the Shadyside School of Nursing. It was a very normal day, and I was heading in early to study for an upcoming exam.

No more than 50 feet from the front entrance of the school, my computer bag was snatched from my arm while I tried to pass two boys in their late teens standing in the middle of the sidewalk.

Just when you think that people are cruel and you're starting to lose faith in humanity, the compassion of strangers becomes overwhelming! A very kind woman named Alana saw what happened to me, and before I could even focus, was hanging up with the police and headed to see if I was all right.

After that, a very nice man in a big gold-colored Suburban pulled over to say that he saw the kid who stole my bag run into the alternative school on the next block. And after he left, another very nice woman came out of a building to see how I was holding up.

These three people were my guardian angels, and I cannot thank them enough for the compassion. I wish I knew their names -- I would love to send them a cookie basket or something!

The police arrived promptly, and from there, the young man was taken into custody, and my bag was recovered with nothing missing but the shoulder straps! These officers, detectives, passers-by, Shadyside School of Nursing faculty and James the security guard at the school were what helped me in such a difficult time. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart!

HOLLY HUGHES

Polish Hill

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