Pay It Forward
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Tonight, I had a pretty cool experience. I had dropped off my car for some servicing this morning, so when hubby got home from work, we went to our favorite restaurant for dinner, then he was going to drop me off at the car place, so I could take my car home. After dinner, as we were walking back to his car, he suddenly realized that he had his car keys in his jacket…and his jacket was locked in his car! So, we called for A Lock-out sevice. I had picked one from the phone book based on the fact that they took credit cards, which was all we had on us.
We had to wait about an hour, but finally got the car unlocked. The guy then told us it would be 50 dollars, cash. Oops, but we don’t have any cash and we don’t have the checkbook on us and there wasn’t a bank anywhere around. I then thought I’d go into the restaurant (we eat there all the time and they know us well) and see if they would charge my card 50 bucks and give me 50 in cash. So, I went in and asked the main guy working there. He said sure, but he was alone at the front and had to wait on some customers, so I stood waiting. After about 5 minutes, he said to me…”I’m not sure how to do this…I can’t just take 50 dollars from the drawer.” Before I could even open my mouth to respond, a gentleman hands me 50 dollars in cash and says…”Here, take this and pay it forward.”
I was stunned! I told the gentleman I could pay for it, I just couldn’t seem to get any cash. I then asked if he would give me his mailing address and I would mail him a check, he said, “no, just pay it forward.”
I saw the movie, love the concept and anytime I can help someone I do and I don’t expect anything in return. But I think this was the only time I have encountered someone giving me something like that and just saying “Pay it forward”. I realized how uncomfortable I was in taking cash from someone, even though I have given cash many times before and never expected it back. I choked up in trying to thank him, I was so overwhelmed!
Hubby was shocked when I told him and we talked about how we had to keep our ears and eyes open to a situation that needed our help.
I know that wonderful, giving people are out there and that we all need a little help sometimes and why shouldn’t we all be able to give and accept? Yet, it does take you by surprise when it actually occurs!
Have you had this happen to you?
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March 21st, 2008 at 4:17 am
Nice writing style. I will come back to read more posts from you.
Susan Kishner
March 21st, 2008 at 4:28 am
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Stacey Derbinshire
March 21st, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Yes, I have. Not for me but for other people. It sure feels good to know that there are people who are ready to help out!
Got here from Michele!
gautami tripathy’s last blog post..dancing comes full circle
March 21st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Actually I have
Once My Debit card wouldn’t work when my nanny took the children to McD’s she called on her cell and when i called the manager to give him my CC number he said someone already paid it. ( so it paid me forward by default.
In return I helped a young couple out on the ferry who didn’t have cash for their dinner on the ferry (who only takes cash ).
I try to give as much as I can and have learned long ago to give without expecting anything back in return - it always finds it way back in some form or another
Reena’s last blog post..Introduction - this blog is an accident
March 21st, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I’m sure it must have happened to me but the incidents I remember are those when I’ve helped someone else. I bought some kids snacks at a movie theater a few years ago when they were short of money and I remember it warmly, although I suspect they don’t remember it at all. I think the warm feeling of satisfaction stays with us, especially since we spend so much energy criticizing ourselves and rarely give ourselves any credit for positive qualities.
feefifoto’s last blog post..Blogroll Friday: Daisy The Curly Cat
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
What an amazing story! It’s so nice to know that there are still good people in our world!
Stacey @Real World Mom’s last blog post..Awards!
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
What a beautiful story - one that reinforces my belief in the goodness of humanity.
Thank you for making my day.
Carmi’s last blog post..Naked branches
March 24th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Wow, that’s awesome! I’ve been meaning to do a RAOK. I don’t remember anything like that happening to me.
Saph -Walk with Me’s last blog post..Moola.com
March 25th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
How cool! The chain of goodness that keeps going, how GREAT! I have tried to that as much as I can in my life, it always feels so good to do the right thing!
There are still good people out there and YOU sista, are one of them!
Hugs!
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