I’d like to thank a young (twentysomething) woman who was driving on Oxford Drive earlier this month in Bethel Park. She taught me that my generation of baby boomers needs to discard some of our out-of-date communication techniques.

She was driving ahead of me. I noticed that one of her brake lights was out. As we approached a stop light, I pulled up beside her and intended to tell her about the problem. But I needed her to roll down her window, so I could deliver the message.

So, I politely beeped my horn to get her attention — and then made a counterclockwise motion with my hand.

She stared at me. Clueless. She gave me a sideways look, like I was a wacky old man.

Then I moved my passenger side window up and down and pointed at it. She understood and lowered her window. I delivered the message, and all was well.

As I drove off, I wondered why she didn’t understand my hand signal. Then it dawned on me. Never, in her lifetime, had she seen or ridden in a car with window cranks.

We both acted kindly. I helped her avoid an expensive citation. She helped me understand that I need to update my gestures, or be viewed by youngsters as a “cranky” old man.

JAY LYNCH
Upper St. Clair

A gift of vision for a senior

On a very busy day in my optometric practice, we saw a senior citizen as a new patient. She came in to have a little problem checked but admitted she had not had a a thorough exam in several years. Her glasses were over 7 years old.

Sure enough our evaluation found her new prescription was very different from the one she had been using. As she was working with the optician to select new glasses, a young man, also new to our office, was paying for his own eyewear. He quietly asked that the senior’s balance be added to his own.

I did not learn of this generous act until the day’s end when the office was quiet. I was so moved that this young man gave a special gift to a total stranger that will enhance the quality of her life. In doing so, he gave us a reason to stop and consider the power of simple kindness.

MAUREEN KAMONS
Eyes On Regent Square
Regent Square

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: February 25, 2016, 5:00 a.m.