Monday, December 19, 2011

Paid it Forward...

Sometime last week I was making my rounds on blog reading. On SOMEONE'S blog...(If it's You, please let me know), I read that some unknown person had paid for said Blogger's purchase and left before they were able to be thanked. Said Blogger thought this was a wonderful idea...well...Saturday, I had to go back into town to finish up on a few errands. I left the house at 6:45am. I had only had time for a quick coffee before I left the house. Now, if you know me, you'll know that ONE quick coffee just won't DO!Hahaaa....SO, I decide to pull into the Jack in the Box for a nice, hot cuppa. I was third in line when I pulled up to the drive thru. As I sat there I remembered what I had read on SOMEONE'S blog...about the Pay it Forward thing. Well, I looked in my rear view mirror...no one was there. Then I said to God, "Ok Lord...Lets do it! The next person that pulls in behind me is going to be someone that really needs this so...if you would, send someone now!"
Well, Hahaaaaa....Immediately after I said it, a lone man pulls in behind me...driving an older Ford Explorer and wearing hunting garb. I'm not one to question God so I accept the challenge. Pulling up to the window, I see a sad faced, young black lady, manning the cash register. I'm thinking to myself that she may not have had any Christmas cheer yet this morning (not a happy camper) but I decide to proceed! I asked her if the gentleman behind me had placed his order yet...she said he had. I then said I wanted to pay for my order AND his. Then when he ask what was going on or why someone would DO that for him, that she needed to tell him this...
"Tell him we don't know each other...Tell him I just wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas and if he could, to just, Pay it Forward someday."
The young black lady just stared at me...then all of a sudden, she starts smiling...and tearing up! She promises to do as I asked and thanked me for being so kind...When I asked how much the total bill was, she said, $2.35...Hahaaaa....I was expecting a little bit more but...Oh well, I still feel good about doing it. I pay the lady and roar off into traffic...Lordy, that was FUN!
But you know what I think about the whole affair? I think it was the lady at the cash register that needed cheering up and not the man behind me...Maybe she'd had an awful morning already...who knows. I just know I felt a connection to her when she finally looked at me.
Who knows...Maybe she'll be the one to Pay it Forward.
Have a great Monday everyone!

28 comments:

Joan said...

Awww that was such a nice thing to do!!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Sweet story for a Monday morning. :-)

"Christmas won't be Christmas
without any presents."


~~Opening line of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"

Anvilcloud said...

Great idea. My fuzzy brain thinks that I may have done this once, but I'm not sure.

Donna said...

It WAS fun...and it Totally is better to give than to receive...
hughugs

Jeanette said...

What a great thing to do...I'll have to start looking for a way to start my own little pay it forward chain!

Donna said...

Just make sure you have a clear escape route!Hahaaaa
hughugs

Sally said...

Thats so sweet, Donna. Just the kind of thing you would do. I remember doing that a long time ago. It wasn't the time though that I went to McDonalds,and talked to the trash can thinking it was the speaker over and over. I was SO glad that day no one was behind me. LOL

Donna said...

Hahahaaaa....oh Sallygirl...only you...
hughugs

Ms. Becky said...

you just made my day. I think I was the person you paid it forward for Donna. {{{hugs}}} oh my word I just read Sally's comment. I almost peed my pants...

Donna said...

It was a super sweet thing to do AND you cheered up the cashier too! That was a home run!

Ann said...

Well I'm gonna say that your little trip through the drive thru paid off much bigger than you expected. Not only by doing such a sweet thing, and then cheering up the cashier but all the hearts you've warmed here as well by sharing the story.
Merry Christmas to you Donna.

GypsyFarmGirl said...

Awww...your so thoughtful! Your actions have touched more than just those two people. You can be sure they shared the story too.

Dolores said...

This is so sweet and made me cry...and think....next time I'm going through the drive thru...I'll do what you did. Thank you Donna!!

Out on the prairie said...

I like to do this in restruants, it can be done year round to spread cheer in someones life.You are a real charmer Merry Christmas!

Brenda said...

I believe that there are Angels who walk among us, people that God uses to help folks out. I believe you and others of my Blog friends are truly some of His Angels.

bichonpawz said...

LOVE this story Donna! I just sent a box full of goodies to someone...a Pay it Forward kind of thing for someone down on their luck. It DOES feel good...yes it does!! Good for you!!

Donna said...

Awwwww....Y'all are SO good to me!
I love you All!
hughugs

Crystal said...

My momma is such a good sweet girl;)

Paula said...

WOW~ this is an amazing story, Miss Donna! It made me tear up too... you need to send this to Reader's Digest or somethin'!
(And I'm glad to see Crystal approved... *hehe*)

Brenda said...

Thank you for calling today Miz Donna.,,See? He knew I needed you and there you were, one of our Angels.

Donna said...

That's wonderful! Not only did you pay it forward and make other people happy, you made you happy too. I must do that sometime, and I will think of you when I do. :)

Happy Holidays!

nonizamboni said...

What a wonderful opportunity and beautiful re-telling of your experience~~I'm with you, I think it was the cashier that needed to see your smiling face. I know you are a blessing to me every time I see your pink rose in my comments.
Have a blessed and fun Christmas, Donna!
xoxo

Garnetrose said...

That was so nice of you to do. It makes one feel good when they can do that for another person. Thank God there are still kind people like you around.

romance-of-roses said...

Wonderful story and a beautiful thing you did. Merry Christmas from my home to yours. Hugs...Lu

Dawn said...

Awwww, how nice. The lady at the hospital, yeah, I have been in the ER the past 3 nights, not tonight though, gall bladder problems, know more next week and now having computer problems and saving everyone's URL tonight, but I didn't have any change for a 7-Up, she gave me 60 cents and so Dawn don't worry about it. :) There are people like you around.

If I completely crash, I will FB from my phone. I will let you know more about my gall bladder next week. I am not having any procedures until next week. Ultrasound Monday and Upper GI Wednesday and Mom is in town, well, my brother's, *sigh* and I don't' get to see her until New Years'. But, I won't take up anymore comments. :)

Merry Christmas to you and hubby. Tell, Crystal, too. I don't think I can get to anymore blogs. :(

Donna said...

Thanks Everyone!!!
Merry Christmas!!!
hughugs

Jenny said...

That is SO GREAT!!!! I'm going to do that ... unless the vehicle behind me is a church van full of kids!

BWAAAAAHAHAHA!

Pamela said...

I loved that. Reminds me that I truly need to be more respectful and caring of the people who "serve." She probably got a real treat telling the fellow that he'd been paid forward.