From the Archives

Paying it Forward (September 14, 2007)

The Wal-Mart. The Grocery. The kids. Yikes, never a positive experience. I dread going to the grocery for many reasons, in particular it's always a lot of money, the kids aren't always on their best behavior, it's mundane. I don't know. Just in general not fun. So today I embarked on the dreaded experience and with a list and coupons in tow, I set forth to just get it done. I went through the process and collected my items one by one, it took awhile but I did it. I went to check out, and the lines were long and to be honest I am on WIC - and it's quite embarassing and I hate taking up people's time, I went to write a check(a familiar commercial come to mind?) so I was just taking awhile and there was this nice gentlemen (maybe late 30's) behind me, patiently waiting, and I kept thinking he must be so annoyed with me. When he said "go ahead and put my things on the bill". I was confused, I said "Pardon me?". He said, "I'd like to take care of this for you today." In my mind I wasn't comprehending what he was saying. He said "I'd like to take care of this for you today, I do one good deed everyday, and today you get to be the lucky person." I MEAN WHAT?? I told him "Sir, I can't let you do this it's going to be $100 bucks!" He said "It's o.k. I've been blessed in my life financially I'd like to do this for you." In my mind I thought I can't even accept this, but in my heart something was saying let this man do this for you. So I said "I don't even know what to say, as tears welled up in my eyes, I said thank you so much, you don't even know, my husband is deployed, this is so generous". It was just a special moment for the two of us standing there in the Wal-Mart. Afterward my friend came up to me, and I said "this gentlemen just paid for my groceries". I went to put my groceries in my cart as tears were rolling down my face. My friend went back and asked him about his good deeds, and he explained his son died in February and in his honor he does a good deed for someone every day. What a legacy! It was such a touching moment, a moment I won't ever forget. Generousity for a complete stranger, and through his grief, I believe many people are being touched by this. So today, I ask "Pay it Forward", do a good deed for someone, someone you DON'T KNOW. I wish I had gotten his name or shook his hand, or something I was a mess, I couldn't even think. What I am going to do is send a letter to the editor of our local paper, I just couldn't believe it. I had to share this amazing story with you. No longer will grocery shopping be a mundane chore, I can think of September 14, 2007 and the sweet man who made a sacrifice for me. I, too, will pay it forward. Hope you have a surprising day, too! :)


Those of you that have been following the blog might remember this story.

Finally, after 2 1/2 years I had the opportunity this evening to return the favor.

It felt awesome.