Anyone Else a Recipient of a Random Act of Kindness?

I was in a drive thru and was told that there was a credit amount that was being passed on to each drive up customer until it was gone since someone wanted to "pay it forward". Well, I couldn't let it stop. I put in more money to keep it going.

I don't have a lot, but I have more than some. I am grateful with what I do have, so when I can help out a little bit I do not hesitate. There was a lady with her two young children who could not afford to buy diapers and groceries put together, so I paid for the diapers. My children also do little things to pay it forward. For example, I took my daughter to a video game place where you can earn tickets for prizes. She decided to give her tickets to a lady watching a group of young girls. The girls were so excited to pick up prizes from the counter and my daughter told me it felt so much better to watch the girls' excitement than to use the tickets herself.

It doesn't take much to pay it forward and that extra kindness can make someone's day that much better.

Cherrie,

I've had a couple random acts of kindness...someone ahead of me bought my drink.....the one that sticks out is the one from 6 years ago...I had gone to the grocery store - I HAD money...on my debit card...got the groceries we needed and nothing more...my debit card wouldn't work...the ATM was broken...they tried manually inputting my debit card...no cash on me...and no checkbook...urgh...the woman in line behind me paid for my groceries...$39 - and refused to give me any information to repay her. Like you, I was bawling in the store. I was there with my boys (we couldn't call my husband as he was on a bus on his way home from work)....never ran into her again...

Any way - I try to help people out when I can....the look of surprise on their face...the look of gratitude when they're stuck - it's priceless!!

So glad that someone did something for you!! Pay it Forward!!

Many years ago when my boys were preschoolers like you II was grocery shopping on a budget. It was close to Easter and there was candy on what seemed like every endcap. I said no, no no sorry no, next time a million times. At the register they asked for candy bars. I literally could not afford them. The lady ahead of me gave me a $5 and said buy your beautiful babies some candy. Like you I cried all the way home.

Nearly a year ago now, DS, hubs and I were on our way home from the central park zoo via subway. DS was having a humungo tantrum as 2 year olds can because he wanted to turn the turnstyle. Hubs was trying desperately to feed crumpled dollars into the metro card vending machine. An MTA police officer saw the sorry lot of us and let us all through, for free at that.

It wasn't much money, but it felt like he rescued us from a world of aggravation when we were already on our last nerve.

Best to you, and to that kind stranger.
F. B.

No but that's a wonderful story.

Before Thanksgiving I was in line at the grocery store. The gentleman in front of me, with children and a wife, kept looking. I thought that was odd at first. Then he said, "Happy Thanksgiving, I want to pay for your groceries."I actually had beer in the cart,along with the groceries, was getting it for our family. celebration,so I was surprised. But he meant it, and I had to turn him down because WE ARE SO blessed! And I said that. Someone else could benefit more than me.I about burst into tears. I thought about it. What a wonderful blessing. But I couldn't accept it.

Yes a few times.

Our son had just gotten off the plane from training in the Army. We went to dinner and several people came up to him and thanked him for his service. They paid for our meal. My husband was traveling and saw several military personnel at the restaurant he was at. He walked over to them said thank you very much for your service, dinner is on me and paid the tab.

We have done that several times with military personnel. They make very little money, give their life for us. Its the least we can do for them.

what a great story! The opportunity to pay it forward will present itself - keep your eyes and ears open!

After Christmas we went out to eat with 2 of my girlfriends from high school. We each have one kiddo (well, had, one of us has had another since and I'm due in a couple of weeks) and the kids opened presents while we waited for our meal. When the check came, it was already paid with a note saying Merry Christmas. They had paid for the whole table! 3 couples and 3 kids! Amazing.

The other day my husband took the day off to do doctors and dentists checkups with our 7 year old since she had a day off school for teacher in service. He took her to breakfast at a local breakfasty/brunchy place they like to go to let me sleep in on Saturdays sometimes, and when the check came it was already paid with a note saying "Daughters need daddies like you. Keep up the good work." My husband was super touched.

A Christmas many years ago, my two boys were looking at this small display like thing, it was a Christmas town, all covered in slow with a stream running through it. The stream had these colorful lights running through it. They loved it, but it was $40 something I never could afford for a decoration.

A lady overheard the boys loving on it and me saying it was not in the budget, and she found us in the store and handed us $50. She told me that she always helps out at Christmas and it was special to her this year because she knew who she was giving the money to this year. She gave me cash, knowing that I could have just pocketed it.

Of course I didn't, and every year when we pull that out at Christmas, I remind the kids how we got this and we should be thankful for people like this in our lives. I will NEVER forget her generosity, and neither will my kids.

One thing I am trying to do as a tradition, is on the day of when my mom passed away, we celebrate her by going to her favorite restaurant. When I am there, I try to find someone eating alone and pay for their meal. I don't know why I chose someone eating alone, but maybe I just feel they need their day brightened a little.

One Spark ...
spreading!!