My pay it forward today

[krismom]

I'll always remember when someone paid it forward to me-
I was at the grocery store with my 2 year old twin boys and 3 year old daughter... I was frazzled to say the least- one was tantruming over lord knows what and one was especially clingy that day not wanting to ride in the cart. After getting the food paid for and bagged, I schlepped it all to the car and buckled in the screaming toddlers and pried the car keys out of the third ones hands- when an older woman walked up to me and handed me a bouquet of flowers. She was behind me in line and said she thought I deserved them. To this day- she inspires me!

 

[C.Ann]

That movie really touched me - struck a nerve.. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I can "pay it forward" I remember that little boys face after he got stabbed.. I know it was only a movie - and he's an actor - but that face!! It prompts me to do the right thing - every time..

Thanks for sharing and reminding others..

 

[agnes!]

I'll always remember when someone paid it forward to me-
I was at the grocery store with my 2 year old twin boys and 3 year old daughter... I was frazzled to say the least- one was tantruming over lord knows what and one was especially clingy that day not wanting to ride in the cart. After getting the food paid for and bagged, I schlepped it all to the car and buckled in the screaming toddlers and pried the car keys out of the third ones hands- when an older woman walked up to me and handed me a bouquet of flowers. She was behind me in line and said she thought I deserved them. To this day- she inspires me!

That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.
Instead of thinking the worst of a mother with toddlers having a few somewhat bad food-shopping moments, she thought the *best*.
Instead of condemning a fellow human-being for not having practically perfect children, she gave *gifts* - of beauty & of consideration.
All of us would do well to try to follow that example.

agnes!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I know about caution...and I don't know what struck me today to stop for her, but I felt I had to.....and, no, it's not something I generally do. In fact, I've only stopped one other time for someone, when I was alone. It was nearly midnight on the expressway, but I saw a young girl (early 20s) walking ...and it was a longgg way to the next exit... Something told me to offer help.. and I did. Turned out she worked at EPCOT and was up here for break... How cool is that coincidence.. We talked for about 30 minutes about Disney while I made sure her ride was on it's way...leaving her at a lighted Waffle House.

I told my story only because it made "ME" feel good..and I wanted others to try to do something nice for someone else...and I know, personally, I feel more inclined to do so when I'm inspired by someone else doing something too....

I've had 2 very memorable pay it forwards to me in my life, but I'll save them for a later date

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I almost missed my 'pay it forward' opportunity today...but I caught it at the last minute....

Anyone care to share theirs for the day/week???

 

[Kimickey]

I'm not really sure if my story is a pay it forward, however I know when you are prompted by God to do something. You find yourself obeying his word without thought.

I have a friend who he and I had a falling out this past June (it was bad). I still cry thinking how he and I are not on the best of terms today -- he truly was my friend. We haven't spoke to each other since June. Well this past Thursday was his promotion to E-8 (we are military). The night before his promotion ceremony, I stopped by a mutual friend our ours desk before I was heading out of the door to go home.

When I got to her desk she asked me if I had my friends cell phone number, I said yes and what's up? Apparently he asked her to print out his promotion ceremony programs and when our friend got them they did'nt look too good. As I was standing over he shoulder looking at the programs on her computer screen, I started reading his bio (he's not a strong writer, infact he had expressed to me in the past that he hated English as a subject). Any who, I said to my friend he while you are fixing the graphics and whatnot of his program, you may want to take a look at his bio. Grammatically it's wrong.

She starts reading it, and in the midst of her reading it, she highlighted it and emailed it to me and said "here you fix it", I said why me? we don't even talk? She said to me in a very clear distinct voice "Because you are his friend, that's why". At that point it took everything in me, not catch an attitude. However I knew it was the right thing to do. I knew I had a busy evening that night, I knew rewriting his bio would take time however I was up to doing it, and at that moment starting thinking of ways to make it better. I wasnt looking for kudos I just wanted what other people to see to be accurate.

I stayed up late that night rewriting his bio and go it to my friend around 1am so she could add it to his program the next day. I put my heart into rewriting his bio and for that couple hours that I rewrote his bio, not one time did I think about the bad things that happened between us, nor did I feel that it wasnt my job.

The next day I didnt attend his ceremony (my personal reasons), however after his promotion, he saw me in our office, came up to me and gave me a hug and thanked me for taking care of his bio. I never told him I wrote it, evidentally our mutual friend did. That was the first time in over four months he and I have had words (short but words), nevertheless giving me a hug (something we always used to do).

My point is, some times you find yourself doing things in life that may be out of the norm, or your comfort zone. However at the point in time it's the most comfortable thing to do and you know it's the right thing to do. You can't explain it, it just is...

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Kimickey - You did good

 

[Kimickey]

I sure hope I did, because; to be honest with you. I somewhat feel stupid for doing it. I know what I did came from my heart, however because we arent on the best terms I somewhat feel like an idiot for doing it. I don't know I guess it's my pride that's speaking more than anything. But in my heart and really my gut I know I did the right thing...

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Kimickey,
It was a really nice thing you did, rewriting your friend's bio. I hope it begins the healing of the friendship between the two of you. One can never have too many friends, and it's a sad loss when we lose a good friend. Best of luck to you both!