Paying It Forward

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I believe in paying it forward. A couple dollars and a smile can mean so much to someone. Last week, me and my daughter were taking a walk and she wanted ice cream so we stopped at the store. While there, we noticed there was a woman getting a few items like bread, lunch meat and had 3 kids with her. The kids wanted to get pizza but their mom told them no, they didn’t have the money. As it was, she was $1 short for her purchase and the cashier was getting impatient with her. I was going to go over to say something to him but my daughter distracted me. When I turned back, the lady and her kids were gone but their items were still at the counter. My daughter got her ice cream and I pointed to the items left on the counter, saying I would pay for them. The cashier sneered at him so I also ordered a pizza. While we waited, my daughter went and got a few bottles of water. When the cashier rang us up, I asked his name. When asked why, I told him I was going to call the owner of the store and report him for how he treated that lady. (He was fired two days later.) After we paid, my daughter rushed out the door to find the family and they hadn’t gone far. They were sitting at a bench not far from the store. As we walked up to them, my daughter holds out the bag containing the bread and lunch meat out to them as she said that they had forgotten them. Before the mom could say a word, I hand her the pizza and the water as I told her that we had gotten that for them as well. The kids were happy and the mom didn’t know what to say so I took her to the side. I told her that we all have bad days where it seems impossible to do anything but those days will pass. With a hug, she thanked us both and I gave her what cash I had left. As we walked home, my daughter happily ate her ice cream and then she turns to me and says this. “When I grow up, I want to do more stuff like that. I want to help a bunch of people.” The littlest things can mean so much to people. The $20 I spent on the items for that family would not make me rich but it meant the world to that family, in that moment. I hope those of you that are able to help sometime, do help those in need.