<font color=navy>I believe in the saying, Don't repay kindness, pass it on.
I've received so many RAKs throughout my life, and I try to pass them on ... just because it's the right thing to do.
Received ...
In my younger days I drove a Ford Pinto -- I once got stuck in the left turn lane, and my car wouldn't go. There was a 76 station, and some guys who worked there came over & pushed my car to the station, checked it over to determine the cause - found out it needed oil, and put oil in it. The charge? Nothing. I've never forgotten it.
People and the principal of the kids' school who've helped me with financial stuff - without me asking, but because they knew I needed it.
Upcoming ...
There is a youth retreat in Tucson coming up in August - starting on the same day as summer school finals. My dd's school is letting her take her final after class on Thursday so she can go. My ds's school has stated that any student who misses that last Friday will get a 0 for the course. There are about 5 students who go to school w/him who are in the same boat - they want to go to the retreat, but can't because of finals. I offered to drive my son and whoever else fits in my car to Tucson so they can attend the retreat (it's youth oriented, and very spiritual - called Stuebenville Retreat), but it starts @ 3pm on Friday, and they have to be there when it starts, and it would take me about 7 hours to drive the kids there, so that option is out. We were resigned to the fact that the kids wouldn't be able to go. Our pastor was telling some parishioners about this, and they offered to pay for the students to fly to Tucson after their final on Friday. So now the kids can go, and our pastor is going to fly with them. I'm still overwhelmed by that generosity.
Given ...
A co-worker was going through some major financial problems (husband out of work, etc., 2 small children, no money for food at the time). I happened to have $150 worth of grocery certificates (scrip), and I anonymously gave it to her in an envelope. She eventually figured out it came from me, and when she thanked me, I told her to just pass it on.
A couple of times I've paid for meals for people anonymously at Denny's & some other restaurant. (I like to do this especially for senior citizens)
I worked at a mall, and this tourist had missed his bus and was trying to get to his hotel in Downtown LA, so I got a friend to come with me (just in case), and we gave this person a ride to his hotel - from the South Bay area. It would have taken him forever to get to the hotel on his own, or cost a fortune by taxi.
At Disneyland, after waiting literally for hours for Fantasmic, I usually save a couple of seats at the Riverbelle Terrace, and when I see people (last minuters) with young children trying to find a spot, the kids & I share our seats with them. I've met some really nice people. I especially like doing this for foreigners who probably have no other chance to see the show.
When they were younger, I'd get the kids those glow-in-the-dark necklaces - they would get an extra one each to give to another child who didn't have one.
Two older ladies were walking - their car had broken down, and I gave them a ride.
I was shopping once, and there was this older woman who was trying to buy groceries, and having trouble pushing the cart - I think she walked with a cane, so I offered to push her cart for her - when she was checking out, I found out she needed to wait for the community bus to come pick her up and take her home. I ended up taking her home, and then I also found out that she lived with her daughter, and wasn't supposed to be shopping on her own because she was so dependent. Her daughter didn't know where she had gone.
Stuff like that
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I always walked away feeling good.
