Pay it forward

It's almost Christmas. It seems I always see or hear acts of kindness more at this time of year. And it is awesome. Recently, I was at church. While grabbing a bulletin, I couldn't help but notice this old woman crying, hysterically. She was holding a Christmas card. And she was wailing. I went up to her and asked if she was alright. I'm guessing she was around age 85. She was noticeably poor. When she finally answered me she screamed, "I didn't even know her that well!" Initially, I thought someone she "barely knew" had passed away. After I took a closer look at the card she was holding, I noticed a $100 bill taped to the inside. She told me the story, in between tears, that some lady in her Sunday school class gave her this card. She couldn't believe someone cared so much about her needs and gave so generously. I hugged her. As I hugged her, I was worried it would be awkward for both of us. But it proved to be the only thing "to do."

I was walking to meet Jeremie with tears in my eyes. That experience made me so thankful for the things in my life. I wanted to tell Jeremie immediately, but felt like I had to keep it to myself for just a moment to fully enjoy it.
It reminded me of another time. My first and only pay it forward moment.

Picture it.....Sicily 1923....oh.... I'm sorry I'm getting my stories confused. Picture it....Atlanta 2009....I'm boarding a flight to Vegas for my friend's bachelorette party. We are not only unable to sit together, we are unable to sit anywhere near each other. I'm searching for my seat. I find it. I am seated next to a man, maybe in his 50's. We chit chat. He is going to Vegas for work. He's an air traffic controller and they are having a conference there. His wife is in first class. (Big question mark over my head, too). We begin talking...in depth. About life. About love. He offers to buy me a drink when the stewardess comes by. I hesitantly accept.(My arm hurt from the twisting). His wife ventures back to us poor people in coach and she is lovely. It's his second marriage and he swears he finally got this one right. Our flight is coming to an end and he grabs his wallet. He pulls out two $100 bills. He begins writing on them. On the first, he writes, "for you." On the second, he writes, "for the world." He folds them up and gives them to me. He tells me to have fun in Vegas. He tells me to spend one of the bills ("for you") on myself. Strict instructions follow for the second hundred: "Give this to someone you think really needs it." I argue with him for a good ten minutes, telling him I can't accept this. He ignores me.

I remember getting off the plane, reuniting with my friends, and being speechless. I couldn't believe the kindness of a stranger. He told me he knew, from talking to me, that I would not spend the $200 on myself. He was right. I told my friends the story about 30 minutes later in the cab to our hotel. They couldn't believe it. After spending a day in Vegas, I decided I would save the 2nd $100. I didn't want to give it away to someone in that town that would just blow it on a hand of blackjack.

I'll never forget this day. Months later, I was at a craft store. Waiting in line, I noticed a couple behind me. The wife had obviously broken her leg. She was in a wheel chair with a stack of fabric on her lap. Soon, four kids came running up to her. It was apparent from the dialogue, that she was making clothes for her children. I counted the children again. Four kids and the husband was holding a child younger than a year old. I got tears in my eyes thinking of the moment I would give the $100 to them. When I left the store, I waited until I saw the family walk out. The man walked out first. He was going to get the car and drive it to the curb for his wife. I stopped him, told him my crazy 'pay it forward' story and made him accept the money. Tears filled his eyes. He told me that I would never know what this money meant to his family. And he hugged me. I sat in my car and watched him pick up his wife. He couldn't keep the news to himself and I could see that he had told her. It was amazing.