We had scanned the Newsday movie pages and we had selected a movie theater in Manhasset. In today's cinematic world, it is exceedingly difficult to find a movie for anyone over the age of 15. Special effects, for my money, have ruined the experience of sitting through a tender story played out on the screen.

We parked the car on the same street as the theater and we ambled slowly to the ticket booth. Since I was a practicing dentist and teacher at Jamaica Hospital, I just naturally gaze at all dental signs and check out who was practicing there.

Next to the theater was a group practice. As I read the names I recognized one name in particular. It was a resident whom I taught at Jamaica Hospital. I said to my wife, "Let's go in and say hello to this former student of mine. I haven't seen him in 10 years."

Lorraine was not anxious to enter the office. She said, "Let him alone. He's probably busy and chances are he has forgotten you by now." Being stubborn, I do not always follow good advice.

We entered the office and the office secretary inquired about the reason for my visit. I stated that "I was a teacher of the doctors at Jamaica Hospital." She entered his operatory and told him that someone was here to see him.

He emerged from the treatment room (a little paunchier than I last remembered) and he recognized me (thank goodness), but not my name.

We chatted a bit and then his face lit up with a glow. "I remember you, now," he stated. "You were the one who told me to take this offer when I was a resident. You told me to go for the best quality dental practice I could find, and this was the one."

"Are you happy here?" I questioned.

"I love it here. I live right down the road. I have three children and it is the best thing I could have done 10 years ago. Thanks for the great advice."

As Lorraine and I left, I was elated. I had done a good deed for someone and wasn't aware of it before today.

Dear reader, how many good and kind things have you accomplished in your lifetime? We do not always hear or witness them, but they are there. Occasionally they surface and make us very proud.

P.S. The movie was not as good as the visit to an old acquaintance who actually remembered me.