To the editor:

Amid the daily news of violence in the Middle East and failure of politicians to stop it, an incident Thursday gave me hope and unexpected enjoyment. I had gone to Cottin’s Hardware on an errand and paused in my car for a moment in the parking lot to watch the rain and to hear Terry Gross finish her interview with Tom Petty.

Two men came out of the building to the car parked next to mine. As the older man watched, the younger, wearing an employee T-shirt, compared a windshield wiper blade in his hand with one on the car. He removed the blade from the car and both men returned to the store. A few minutes later, the two came out again into the heavy downpour and while the older man waited, the younger installed a pair of new blades. As the customer drove off, safer than when he had arrived, the young man went back inside.

When I have heard too much bad news, I can remember this incident and be reminded of the generosity and care that many young people bring to their work. Then, like the quiet rain and a captivating interview, the memory will cheer me on.

Paul Fairchild,

Lawrence