Finding my Light
I wasn’t feeling very receptive. Yeah, right, whatever, you irritating little figment of altruism!
As I was standing in line at Safeway, the woman ahead of me was buying Tylenol. She was really ticking me off because it was the only line open and she was arguing w/the checker that the Tylenol was on sale, a dollar off. I internally rolled my eyes. Geeze, lady, it’s only a dollar, cough it up! Suddenly, I started thinking about Carolee Hazard, who bought groceries for a woman at Trader Joe’s who’d forgotten her wallet (Facebook Friends Pay it Forward) …
The woman in front of me decided not to buy the Tylenol and started walking away. “Wait!” I piped up. “I’ll buy that for you.”
She turned to me and smiled, and I took the time to really notice her: About my age, late forties; extremely crooked teeth, dirty blonde hair piled on her head with a chipped glittery clip. “Thanks, I only had $2 left on my Visa card,” she said. “I fell this morning and threw out my back. I could really use some of these.”
That incident turned around my day. I’m still thinking about the woman who came into my life for a brief moment and hopefully will stay in my heart for a long while. There’s a connection between Carolee and this woman whose name I don’t even know, and me. I’m going to keep looking for ways to pass it on. That may be a key to finding the connections I’m looking for and finding my faith.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I always believe in listening to instinct!
Our society has lost this sense of community that you describe, sharing, helping others in need. I’m glad you are writing about it. I also believe noticing a problem and drawing the attention of others to this problem by writing about it can contribute to creating change …
Yes, the connection is there. You just have to open your eyes. This is a lovely story, and we can all relate to this kind of mood.
I just came over from FLX and am so glad I did. What a great post! It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all our own stuff and forget there’s an entire world outside. Note to self: Follow the advice inherent in Jen’s post.
I agree that we’ve lost that sense of community. After suffering one of the worst headaches I’ve ever had in my life last week, I could have only hoped that someone like you was behind my husband if he had forgotten his wallet when I asked him to pick up my sinus meds.
I think the world could do with more Paying it Forward.
Jennifer, you made my day! I cannot begin to express how happy it made me to hear that the 93 Dollar Club story shifted how you handled an annoying situation and that joy came to both you, the giver, and the receiver! I hope so very deeply that this is the “take home” that people keep from the 93 Dollar Club story. The world can truly become a kinder place if we all do more of what you did today. Thank you!
BTW, for those of you who are curious, the 93 D0llar Club has raised almost $23,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank (as of 10/20/09) – that will provide 46,000 meals to those in need! People in several parts of the country are starting 93 Dollar Drives to benefit their local food banks.
To follow the story on FaceBook, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/93dollarclub
Excellent example. I think especially in this economy we need to remember that every dollar might just matter to someone.
I got completely exasperated with my mom Monday, when she insisted I go back into the pharmacy because she thought they had not run the prescription through her insurance. It was *only* $11 for 3 months worth of pills, which seemed pretty good to me, but after waiting in another LONG line, then waiting while the staff fiddled on the phone and computer … not to mention risking being around all the other sick people waiting around the pharmacy … they reran the transaction, and it came back with a charge of just 64 cents for the bottle of pills.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe *that* was right either, but I took it as a gift and left.
Funny this comment comes today–yesterday I was in line behind someone whose card had run out of money–I stood poised to pay…and then he took out cash and all was well…but I was ready to pay because of the Trader Joe’s story you posted (or linked to?) here…Still watching for my turn. Glad you got yours yesterday and glad it turned your day around..
b
Wow, what an awesome example of how giving is actually getting. This is the kind of thing that I’d *think* to do, but most of the time I let the other voice in my head, the one that says you’ll look like an idiot or they will think I’m crazy, win. I have been trying to get past this sort of reaction to to people around me. I was proud of myself the other week when I was sitting at a red light in the left turn lane. It took me a few minutes to realize that the light had changed and the truck in front of me wasn’t moving. It was two women and a little kid in the truck. One tried pushing it around the corner and the other steered. She couldn’t move it so I poked my head out and asked if I could help push. She turned me down saying that the truck wouldn’t move. But I was proud to have not listened to the voice that said “just drive on.”
Your post is such a good reminder to let the good voice win out!
xo
This has long been my remedy for feeling down – doing something nice for someone else. Often, I would go visit one of my grandmothers when they were old and housebound on days I felt crummy. It always cheered me up to know that I made them happy. Now that they’re both gone, I need new ways to do this and you’ve inspired me to look harder. Thanks.
Jenn,
As I recall, you’ve commented that I’ve introduced you to the work of musician Carrie Newcomer through some of my stories. Do you know her song Geodes? She’s got a line in there ‘sometimes God walks ’round in muddy boots.’
What a great story! I have goosebumps. Giving to others always makes us feel good, as well as grateful for our own blessings, I’ve found.
Thanks for the reminder to “pay it forward.” It’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives and problems.