7 Stories
Submitted by John from Hazlehurst, GA
“I was in line at the local Harvey’s supermarket and the elderly lady ahead of me had a dozen roses she had added to her shopping items. When the other items were totaled she asked about the price of the flowers. As the cashier waited on the bag boy to return with the price of the flowers she said she hadn’t gotten roses since her husband passed. When she was told the price of the flowers she asked for them to be returned and said “Maybe next time.” I bought the roses and gave them to her.”
Submitted by Anne from Henderson, Nevada
“I dashed into a convenience store for a soda and chips. When approaching the register a man gestured for me to go first, “Ladies first.” I said “Thanks, how nice.” After a bit, while the cashiers were taking some extra time, he said he was going to have to go first after all, but then he grabbed a lovely pink rose, bought it and gave it to me on his way out to pump his gas.”
Submitted by John G from Yonkers NY
“I went to visit my son at college in upstate NY. We went to Denny’s for breakfast on Saturday morning. Seated across from us was an elderly couple who looked to be in their 80s. When we were finishing breakfast I asked the waitress if I could pay for the couple’s food. Of course she was surprised, but was very happy to give me the bill. When the couple was leaving the gentleman asked for the check as he was leaving a tip. The waitress told them that their check had been paid for including the tip. It was at this point that the lady turned to waitress and said, “But I don’t even know anyone here.” After seeing her reaction and hearing what she said my son had a big grin on his face. I said it makes you feel good to do little things like that for people and he now understands what pay it forward means. I am sure this will stay with him for a long time.”
Submitted by Michelle from Charlotte NC
“One morning I was going through a fast food restaurant drive-thru to order a cup of coffee. There was quite a long line of cars and as I was waiting my turn to pay I was getting my money ready. A surprise to me, I didn’t have any money with me. Normally I would have just backed my car up and left. I couldn’t do that because there was no way to back up. Pulling my pride together and ready to face embarrassment, I approached the window to pay. The cashier informs me that my order has been paid for by the person ahead of me. Well, words can’t describe how I felt at that moment. Saved from embarrassment by a total stranger, and blessed beyond words. So now, every time I go to a drive-thru, I pay for the person behind me. I want someone to feel what I did that day. Next time, I will check my wallet before I leave the house. Pay it forward!“
Submitted by Bette Goodwin from PA
“Last week I was in line at Subway when the gentlemen in front of me was waiting to give the clerk an application he had filled out for a job. He was truly a lost soul, but I admired him for at least trying to get a job. He asked the clerk not to throw it away and she promised that she would not. He left the store and just really looked lost. The clerk and I decided to make a sub for him. She made it and when I took it out to him he was surprised and very grateful.”
Submitted by James and Kimberly from Selah
“We were at Carlon Park located in Selah Washington with several hundred fans and players at a youth softball tournament. We were there supporting our daughter, her team & various other players we know from other teams. We found a little note in a zip lock bag under our windshield wiper that read: Anonymous #randomactofkindness. In the zip lock bag we found an extremely gracious amount of cash. Our family is grateful beyond words. All I can say is that there are wonderful people in the world. We are now looking to pay it forward. Thank you to Anonymous person(s) in Washington!”
Submitted by GREY WEATHERS from PORTLAND, OR
“It’s happened to everyone – that moment the cashier glances up at you from their screen and they say those 4 terrifying words, “your card was declined.” You feel like crawling into a hole and dying. Not only does it make you feel low as dirt, but it’s super embarrassing as well. It’s embarrassing to you, the other customers, and the cashier. It wasn’t even because I had no money. I had taken the sticker off my new card I received a few days ago, but forgot about activating it. Nonetheless, the people around me didn’t know that. To everyone I was just another person who can’t manage money correctly, except one person who found it in their heart somewhere to pay for my entire breakfast order while I was frantically calling my card company to activate it before the people behind me left (I wanted them to see I was not poor.) When I finally got the card activated and I went back up to pay the cashier told me that someone had covered it. What?! I was in shock! I mean, I never expect someone to be as caring as I would in a situation but for this – I was amazed. Thank you so much whoever you are! You literally made my morning and now I have proof that there are some selfless, good-hearted people in the world. Thank you for allowing me to have faith again in people.”
