Modern Vespa

Years ago when my teenage boys were younger, we went out to dinner on Christmas Eve. We sat across from a minister who, when he finished his meal, came over to our table, wished us a merry Christmas and left. When we asked for the check our server told us that the minister took care of it. My wife and I were very appreciative of the gesture and have not forgotten it over the years.

My wife and I always said we going to pay it forward one day. That day was today. We went out to eat with my in laws and at the next table was an elderly gentleman eating alone. I leaned over to my wife and told her I would like to pay for his meal and pay forward the meal that was bought for us years ago. She readily agreed. I did it anonymously and I hope we brought a little joy to someone on thanksgiving.

So if you get a chance to pay it forward this holiday season or anytime, don't hesitate. It's an easy way to make someone's day and maybe restore someone's faith in humanity.

If you have any stories of helping people or paying it forward, I would love to hear them.

Last month, after emailing back & forth with one particular sales rep for a large sportswear manufacturer, I ordered one specific item from the company. The rep processed & packaged the order herself and decided at the last minute to throw in a few freebies. She had no way of knowing that the extras she added happened to be a specific brand that is directly connected to the company my dad retired from. My dad died two years ago last week, and I'd been really missing him. I opened the package and nearly cried. It may have been a simple act of kindness on her part, but to me it was a sign that my dad is always here when I need him. Like he was saying, 'Hey, you can't see me, but I'm still watching out for you.'

I got a chance to pay that forward last weekend. A friend whose dad passed away shortly after mine is now struggling with putting her mother in long-term care. I won a Massage Envy gift certificate at a 5K not long ago, so I put it in a card and left it tucked into her door.

Not much on bad karma but I am rooted in the good karma for the right action. We were have a hard time working out the purchase of our pizza store. When it worked out we committed to help the community. We feed any homeless that come in unless they act up. We have one that we have feed everyday for five years. I am not sure they can pay it forward be I think we did. We also have a R.A.P. Program that our customers can pay $10 for a certificate (we make up the difference) to feed a family of 5 - pizza, salads drinks and dessert. We distribute the certificate to non for profits and they hand them out to families. They can now have an opportunity to enjoy a dinner out or celebrate an event that we take for granted.

Bree - welcome to MV! There a few of us locals who get together for a ride and lunch. You are welcome to join us anytime.

What a wonderful story, it's never easy when a parent passes. I still get a few "I'm watching out for you" reminders and my mom has been gone for 6 years.

Great job with the certificate, I'm sure your friend will truly enjoy the relaxation and massage.

avallorz - Wow! That is a true commitment to your community and to helping others. What's great program. My little act of kindness pales in comparison to you and your pizza shop. Keep up the awesome work! If I ever make it to San Jose, I will come by, have a slice and shake your hand.

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One action never pales to another when you do acts of kindness. Good Karma is the universal blanket.

STRICK and others The best pay it forward came when i traveled to Burma aka Myanmar. On my last nite i went to a cool old British Hotel for dinner (name escapes ,e). I decided to take a taxi back to my hostel since it was hotter than hell. My taxi driver was a older guy who was a professor but since he couldn't get a job as one he drove a cab. He casually said i was lucky because i was American because we had money. Now he didn't want any but i sensed there was a reason he said that. We had a delightful conversation on the way back to the Hostel. He gave me his card in case i needed a ride to the airport in the morning. I took it but my drivers (hired 2 to drive me around Burma) were taking me to the airport. So when they picked me up i showed them the card and asked to go by there on the way. They stopped and called the number. A younger guy came out (the taxi drivers son). I gave him all the US money i had ($50) because my gut told me they needed it more than i did. The young man goes "how did i know" and i'm like "know what". Apparently the kids mom (cab drivers wife) needed a life saving operation and they needed $50. Hence the comment about Americans and money. I must of sensed that but it didn't hit home just how powerful my actions were. My guide goes "you just saved his mother". I don't know if this is considered "paying it forward" but in my travels people who have nothing, have offered me shelter,food etc if i needed it. I sensed this was what i needed to do. I guess the moral of the story is,sometimes just something little, can be huge to somebody else.

Being a good boy scout, we had to do a good deed a day. Never got that average, but I try my best to be kind to others.

I'll never forget something that happened some 20 years ago. Very rich people sometimes are seen as stingy or selfish. So, I was in Germany in a Stehcafé (drink coffe and eat small things standing) and a very very big exclusive Mercedes stopped, the older gentleman in expensive suit left his car, entered the Stehcafé, bought a cup of coffee and a good breakfast, left the café, went straight across the street to a homeless guy, gave all he had to that poor man, got back in his car empty handed and left. He actually pulled over only to buy that guy a meal. The whole café stared outside. This saved my believe in humanity.

Well said, my friend, well said.

Judy - you need to write a book. You have had some awesome adventures. Who would have thought that $50 could literally save a life. You continue to amaze.

Flanderswasp - can't ask for more than that, to be kind to others.

Struck I have to get over to Howard co. You folks sound like its a hoot.

On my visit to RI, my mom went to urgent care and as I sat in the waiting room a young lady was waiting and would wince occasionally and hold her arm. None of the staff were paying attention to her and she had an obvious sprain or break. Thinking a sling would help her discomfort while she waited to be seen, I approached the desk clerk and rattled off medical phrases that would make her think I was a physician. I'm an INTJ personality who is a social chameleon ( think Catch me If You Can ) who seem to have a knack of absorbing things around me.

The next thing I know, a team of medicos were attending to the young lady and her arm. I hadn't planned on telling this to anyone, but I respect Strick's leadership in getting this going. It didn't cost me anything but a couple of minutes of my time to do something for a fellow human being.

When on vaction, I can never resist the fun of offering other tourist couples to take a picture of them. I just walk to them and say "hey, give me your camera", and they usually look quite frightning and you see them think "what does he want from me". Once their penny has dropped, they are pleasantly surprised, give their camera and have me taken a photo of them. Every single couple leaves with a big smile, and made my day. When I was a kid, people were used to held doors open for others and wait for them to pass first. 50 years later, I hardly see this any more (unless for their boss or mother in law out of fear, haha). I still do it a lot, even for youngsters, and they are always surprised and react kindly. I admit, it's a bit selfish, as I probably enjoy it even more than them.

As a side note, it's obvious that, from their usual reaction, people commonly distrust people who walk to them and ask, tell or do something. It's a pitty, and unnecessary, as 99.9% of people are kind. Once they realise that, people look so happy, simply because others are kind. A bit less distrust and more smiles would make the world so much more fun.

The majority's reality ->

Not long a go we were driving to my girlfriend's house for a big family dinner together. As we were leaving our town an accident happened right in front of us on a quiet, empty junction.. A small van went through the red light causing a nasty crash with a mercedes. As soon as both cars came to a stop, the van driver put the pedal to the metal, did a u turn and drove off the scene. The mercedes tried to pursue him but it just made an horrid noise and came to a halt. We parked our car safely, got out and helped the woman in the mercedes to move her car off the junction. She was in a state. Sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. While my partner was comforting her, I phoned the police and we've all waited for their arrival. We've given our statements, including the van's reg (I memorised it as it was fleeing the scene) and a decent description of the van driver.
Later, we were notified in a letter from the police, that thanks to our help the van driver, who, by the way, tried to deny everything, was convicted and sentenced accordingly.
What we did was just a natural human reaction, and I think everyone else would do the same in such situation.

I try to pay for the vehicle behind me once in a while at BK or McD's. I've had it happen to me a couple of times and its only right to do the same. I don't do it to make myself feel good, just want to bring a little joy into someone's life.

Just thought of a couple other very good deeds. Many years ago, one of my employees was late for work as she took a side trip to burger king and bought breakfast for a homeless person. About a year ago this same person and her friend brought firewood to an older woman living alone in a small home over 100 miles away. The woman was in tears to think that someone would spend nearly a whole day loading and delivering wood. She is one of a kind, good friend and employee for over 25 years.

That would be the Strand Hotel. What year was that? I lived in Burma back in the last century.

Always pay it forward when you can. I have many stories of being a recipient to being a payer. It is a wonderful thing.

http://thebigredscooter.org/

LB it was 5 or 6 years ago. I knew it began with a S. Wanted to say Savoy but that's in London.I loved Myanmar/Burma. Sunrise/sunset over the place where there are about 300 temples is one of my fav times traveling. Looking out as far as the eye can see and all you see is temples. Breathtaking. Sadly i lost my pics of that trip. Did Vietnam,Cambodia,Laos and Myanmar.