"Paying it forward"....acts of kindness done for you by strangers

[NyaChan]

Could you post your recipe here too pleeeease?

[faithlessone]

This may not sound like much, compared to some of these, but it really made my day.

It was back towards the beginning of my first year of uni - I was in the depths of studying for my Christmas exams, plus writing a 3000 word essay that I was hating with a passion. After about four hours of straight studying, I needed a break. I wandered down to the library to get out a few more books, and stopped off at the uni shop on the way back. I picked up some milk, and, while putting the change into my purse, dropped the books. I almost burst into tears (it was that sort of day).

The man behind the counter came out, and helped me pick them up.

"You look like you need something happy today," he said, smiling. Then he reached over to the display on the counter, picked a strawberry lollipop and handed it to me. "Go on, I'll take care of it."

Again it may not seem like much, but it made me very happy.

[AuntieA]

I've had some rough times in my life, and I have been helped out when I needed it most by the most unlikely angels. I believe in paying it forward and try to do so at every opportunity.

Last week I had an appointment with a specialist downtown. Parking in downtown Edmonton is very expensive, and the open-air lots are all owned by the same company who exploit their monopoly to keep their prices high. I had a 3 p.m. appointment, and had been warned that I might have to wait for the doctor, so I charged 3 hours ($19.00CAD) on my credit card. It turned out that I spent less than 15 minutes at the doctor's. I was on the phone in the parking lot when I saw a young lady over at the pay&park machine. I went over to her and offered her my ticket, which still had >2.5 hours of parking time on it. She took it gratefully and offered to pay me for it, but I told her that it was already paid for once, and that was enough.

I'm glad I was able to pass that ticket on to someone.

[Wulfie]

I just read this in the news and thought of this thread.

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Town-of-Van-Zandt-learns-meaning-of-Love-thy-neighbor-170565856.html

Basicly, A really great guy on Social Security who helps out his neighbors all the time nearly cut his arm off in a chainsaw accident. While he was in the hospital, it was discovered that his home was badly damaged in a past fire but he was too proud to as for help. The community banded together and are building him a new house.

[Julia Mercer]

DH and I were out for coffee one evening, and when I went to pay for our order, I found out that my debit card was declined, and he had no money on him either, so I asked the cashier to cancel the order, the guy before me asked her how much it was, and when I went outside to tell DH that it was canceled, the stranger came outside to tell us that we forgot our order.......he had paid for it He left his stuff sitting on the counter to tell us. That really made our evening, so just the other evening, we paid it forward and helped someone out that was short of change. Felt good let me tell ya!

[takeheart]

I love Starbucks, but the cost can add up, so I try to limit myself to 2-3 drinks a week (and I usually get just a grande iced coffee though). Last Monday I was on my way to my sister's house because I had taken a day off work to drive with her 3 hours away for her doctor's appointment. I stopped by Starbucks to get my usual, and I ordered a cake pop for my niece too. When I pulled up to pay, the barista informed me that the car in front of me had paid for me. I was pleasantly surprised. She informed that she works the window maybe two or three times a week and that happens at least twice a day. That made my day!

[Marisol]

Some of these stories are bringing tears to my eyes.

As for my story.  I was once given free lunch at a café where I was trying to find something, anything, that was less than what I had on me (a couple of dollars).  It was such a kind thing for her to do that I have never forgotten it. 

[siamesecat2965]

not my story, but a friend's nephew.  as many of you know, getting gas in NJ and NY after hurricane sandy can be a challenge.  Long lines, few stations open, etc.  he was waiting in line to get gas, then found out it was cash only.  so he runs across the street to a convenience store to use the ATM which isn't working.  Comes back, and a guy behind him in line offered him $$ for gas.  he said he felt bad so didn't take the full amount, but was thrilled there are still good people out there.

[snowdragon]

I am a grad student. I have a class where I have to do a collection - could be anything, but since I come from a military family I wanted to do something to honour the soldiers, so I am collecting soldiers stories about their time in the service and making a slide show to go with it. My best friend mentioned it to her pastor, who talked to several of the older vets in the church. They have been kind enough to share with me their lives and stories. Some are so touching and heart felt that it's hard not to cry, other are humorous, others are matter of fact.
  I can not tell you how honoured I feel that they are willing to this for me.  I have two more weeks to do this "Officially" but I am going to record each offered so that they are preserved.

[Elisabunny]

I am a grad student. I have a class where I have to do a collection - could be anything, but since I come from a military family I wanted to do something to honour the soldiers, so I am collecting soldiers stories about their time in the service and making a slide show to go with it. My best friend mentioned it to her pastor, who talked to several of the older vets in the church. They have been kind enough to share with me their lives and stories. Some are so touching and heart felt that it's hard not to cry, other are humorous, others are matter of fact.
  I can not tell you how honoured I feel that they are willing to this for me.  I have two more weeks to do this "Officially" but I am going to record each offered so that they are preserved.

You might consider offering a copy to the county historical society.  They would probably be thrilled.

[snowdragon]

I am a grad student. I have a class where I have to do a collection - could be anything, but since I come from a military family I wanted to do something to honour the soldiers, so I am collecting soldiers stories about their time in the service and making a slide show to go with it. My best friend mentioned it to her pastor, who talked to several of the older vets in the church. They have been kind enough to share with me their lives and stories. Some are so touching and heart felt that it's hard not to cry, other are humorous, others are matter of fact.
  I can not tell you how honoured I feel that they are willing to this for me.  I have two more weeks to do this "Officially" but I am going to record each offered so that they are preserved.

You might consider offering a copy to the county historical society.  They would probably be thrilled.

It will be offered to the museum where I am taking the course, first.

[gmatoy]

I am a grad student. I have a class where I have to do a collection - could be anything, but since I come from a military family I wanted to do something to honour the soldiers, so I am collecting soldiers stories about their time in the service and making a slide show to go with it. My best friend mentioned it to her pastor, who talked to several of the older vets in the church. They have been kind enough to share with me their lives and stories. Some are so touching and heart felt that it's hard not to cry, other are humorous, others are matter of fact.
  I can not tell you how honoured I feel that they are willing to this for me.  I have two more weeks to do this "Officially" but I am going to record each offered so that they are preserved.

As a veteran, married to combat veteran, I thank you for this important contribution to both the veterans and the community.

[snowdragon]

I am a grad student. I have a class where I have to do a collection - could be anything, but since I come from a military family I wanted to do something to honour the soldiers, so I am collecting soldiers stories about their time in the service and making a slide show to go with it. My best friend mentioned it to her pastor, who talked to several of the older vets in the church. They have been kind enough to share with me their lives and stories. Some are so touching and heart felt that it's hard not to cry, other are humorous, others are matter of fact.
  I can not tell you how honoured I feel that they are willing to this for me.  I have two more weeks to do this "Officially" but I am going to record each offered so that they are preserved.

As a veteran, married to combat veteran, I thank you for this important contribution to both the veterans and the community.

If you - or anyone you know wants to contribute, just PM me and I can tell you how.  

[GreenEyedHawk]

We just had a massive winter storm here on Thursday...roads were a mess, traffic was terrible, there were a lot of accidents and all the shops around us...EXCEPT us...were allowed to go home early before the roads got any worse.

By the time I FINALLY got home, I knew I was going to have to shovel.  Coupled with a back injury from last week (caused by slipping on the ice while carrying a 30lb bag of dog food) I was not looking forward to the job.

When I got home, I went inside to change my clothes and sit for a minute before gearing back up to go outside and shovel.  I was just about to start piling on the layers when I looked out the window and saw one of the gentlemen who lives on my street, pushing his heavy-duty snowblower along the sidewalk in front of my house.  He came all the way up to my front porch, clearing everything.  I tried to get his attention to ask if he wanted a coffee or a hot chocolate or a snack, but he just waved back at me and continued on.  I wish I knew where he lived so I could thank him properly!

[CakeEater]

This is only a little one - DS has just turned 2 and is going through a serious 'terrible twos' phase. He was screaming at the shops the other day, and I had just got him out of the trolley and sat down with him, and was getting out his favourite toy, when a lady stopped and sat down with me and dug a toy car out of her handbag and asked if that might help.

By that time, DS was already quiet, so I declined, but thanked her very much. What a nice lady!