Always pay it forward

I'm sure you have the phrase "pay it forward" at least once in your lifetime. "Paying it forward" simply means to pass on a good deed. As in someone has helped you in some way so you now in turn, help someone else. Pretty simple concept. I am a single mom of two. A few years back, I lost my job. This caused a chain reaction in my life. I ended up losing my house due to not being able to pay the rent, and my car was reposessed due to non-payment as well. Here is my story:

My foodstamps had been taken away the end of the month before so I had been buying groceries with my own money. I was receiving unemployment checks at the time. This was before the government was giving out extra money, so it was only for three hundred dollars a week. Rent was $850 at the time. Add that to monthly utility and phone bill and there was not much left. There were many nights I went to bed hungry because I gave my children the food. I would eat what (if anything) was left. I always let them eat until they were full. A sacrifice I am more than willing to make again if necessary.

Here goes..., so I'm in my local Walmart buying a few grocery items. I only had about $10 total. Since I only had a certain amount of money, I was counting items and keeping track of prices. Time to check out. I am in line counting out my little change. The lady ahead of me must have saw me counting change because she told the cashier that everything on the belt was hers! She then turned to me and with a smile she said, "I've been there. It gets better." I thanked her like a dozen times. She paid for the items, smiled at me one more time and went on her way out the door. I was so grateful. All the "thank yous" in the world couldn't express my gratitude.

Not all people are bad though. Society bombards us with negativity so much that the good things get overlooked and buried. It's nice to hear/see/read feel good stories. There is also this trend of recording oneself doing a good deed. I despise this practice. I am already having a hard time if I am homeless asking for change, and you come along making it worse by shoving a camera in my face! It is humiliating and demeaning but the person takes the money because they really need it.

The universe came full circle for me one day at a local gas station. I was able to pay it forward. I was getting some gas for my car on my way to work one morning. I am standing in line ( I usually use my card at the pump, but I wanted some gum) to pay and there was an elderly lady behind me counting pennies. Naturally it took me back to that day in Walmart. I asked her what pump her car was on. I then put $10 for her and $10 for myself. This happened before Covid, so she gave me a tight hug and told me God would bless me. It felt good honestly. I tell my children all the time that you never know someones story so don't be quick to criticize or pass judgement on someone. He/she could be suffering in silence. Another motto I live by is:"the people you meet on your way up are the same people you meet on your way down...be humble"