Dwyer & Michaels :: 2Dorks.com

Paying It Forward

Dwyer's mom talked with us Friday morning about doing Random Acts of Kindness instead of buying each other Christmas presents this year. We asked listeners to share their stories about paying it forward and here are just a few of the stories we received.

I have an amazing 6 year old daughter who, after the floods, had seen a little girl without shoes standing outside a flooded home. My daughter took her shoes off and gave them to the little girl. She has also donated clothes and toys and even her allowance and tooth fairy money to help those that have lost their items in the flood.

Tonight I was at Casey's and upon checking out the selection of crap foods they have to offer, I was waiting in line to get my much needed water and get the hell out of there, this little girl and what looked like 4 siblings were also waiting in line. She (maybe 9 years old) had a fist full of change, and tried to buy 2 Pepsis. She didnt have enough change, so I dug out my 2 buy one get one free lids, told them to all get one and then purchased all 5 kids a beverage. I know it wasnt much effort nor was it much money but I felt good seeing the wonderful looks on their dirty little faces!!

This weekend I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel where I work. I saw a guy jump starting his car with another car. There was an older couple standing there also. It looked like the older couple didn't know the guy, but they were just there to help just in case. Anyway, I asked if the guy was ok and they said he just got the car started. I walked by and noticed a tire on his car was almost flat. I went back to my car and got a can of fix a flat. I went back to give it to the guy who's car had the flat and was just jump started, but he wasn't around....his car was and the door was open. I flashed the can of fix a flat and a smile to the older couple and tossed it in the drivers seat. I told them he'd find it. They both gave me a big smile back!

Yesterday when I was in Fareway, the lines were very long and moving slowly. I was in the express lane, and noticed that there were several people behind me with just one or two items. When it was my turn at the register, I got $10 cash back with my debit card, and gave it to the cashier asking her to pay for groceries with it for the people behind me in line. The cashier looked so relieved to see someone who wasn't grouchy about waiting in line...I think she appreciated the RAK maybe more than the people who would be getting the free groceries!

This week my 2 boys and I went to the pool. We have three punch cards that have 12 punches on each but we are not using them up quickly enough since last day at the pool is Aug 17 and we have probably 5 punches on each card yet. I was just realizing that we wouldn’t be able to use up all the punches when a mother and her 2 daughter came up and asked how much it cost to get into the pool. I turned to her and said this is your lucky day and had them punch my cards and let them get in for free. She and her daughters thanked me and we went our separate ways.

A few months back I went to Subway for lunch, our normal hang-out in Central City. I was in a hurry, and stuck behind a dozen or so elderly women. The woman in the front of the line offered for me to go ahead of her, knowing that it would take them awhile to place their orders. I went ahead, ordered and paid for my sub. I then paid for the lady directly behind me. The next time I went to Subway, the lady at the registered told me I had started a chain reaction. After I purchased a sub for the lady that let me budge, she purchased a sub for the next lady, and it went all the way down the line!

It was Easter Sunday & my mom & I went to K-Mart, just to pass some time. While we were walking in, I noticed a mother with her young child, and disabled mother trying to change a flat tire. It was a hot day and she looked tired and stressed. I asked her if she would let me change the tire for her. She looked at me with this look of thanks that words couldn’t ever express. I proceeded to change the tread bare tire with her spare that wasn’t in much better shape. After I was finished, she hugged me and thanked me. It seemed like such a small thing that I could offer, but it meant so much to her.

One day I was pulling into the grocery store parking lot. I noticed this old lady wandering around, looking confused. I figured she forgot where she parked. I went up and asked her if she wanted me to help her look. Well, we ended up driving up and down every aisle until we finally found it. It was completely on the other side of the lot. I'm not sure she would have found it. She gave me a hug and I felt amazing all day.

I wish I had a more note worthy Random Act of Kindness to report – no anonymous donation, no sacrifice of life and limb. I was simply at Hy-Vee getting my groceries and noticed this petite older lady gazing at the top shelf in the cookie aisle. I offered to do the reaching and she kindly smiled and replied “thank you”. Although it was a small gesture – it did feel good.

We also received some stories from people who were on the receiving end of a Random Act Of Kindness:

The memory of this act of kindness dates back to the 70’s when I was in high school. Every Christmas morning for four years in a row me and 2 other girls would receive gifts left on our doorsteps, usually some form of jewelry. The gifts were only signed from Santa, the other 2 girls and myself figured out who this person was but he would never admit it to us. To this day the memory of this kind act brings a smile to my face and I have every intention to do this wonderful act to someone in return.

A couple months ago when my fiance and I moved into a new house, we were out front tearing out all the dead foliage in one of the flower-beds. We noticed one of our neighbors walking towards us so we began chatting with him. He mentioned how he loves to garden and offered any help. We thanked him but because we wanted to do this project on our own, we turned him down. He then said “Hang on a minute; I may have something to help you get started.” He came back with a bag of Canna bulbs. He said that he always gives them to family and friends and wanted to share them with us.

We planted the Canna’s and they have made an excellent addition to our new house. What a great act for the new neighbors!!

My son is in the military in California. One day when he was on his lunch break with his wife and son, after ordering their food a gentleman behind him told the cashier that he was picking up the tab, shook my sons hand and thanked him for his service to our country.

I had a random act of kindness happen to me 7 years ago after my husband of 22 years and Isplit up. We have 2 children, our son stayed with him and my daughter went with me. I moved back to my hometown with just enough to get us started and no money and no job. We moved in with my sister and her family. I found a job right off the bat and then a 2nd job. Got tiring but I persevered. One night I decided I needed a break and went out to a local bar to have a couple of beers. I met this couple and the woman I knew but couldn't remember her name and we got to chatting. She was tellling me how she and her husband was taking the next year off from their jobs and was traveling the country on their Harley. They were givng up their house, alot of their belongings and having a garage sale. I explained what was going on in my life and how I was saving for an appartment for me and my daughter. She asked me what all did I have for furniture and such and Itold her not much. Next thing I know she tells me to come over the next day and look through her stuff she was selling and that i could have whatever Iwanted "no charge". I was like dumfounded, then she told me when I said I wanted to pay something and she said no, this is what I want you to do. I want you to go out and do something nice for someone, anyone. Doesn't have to be right away, just do something nice. So the next day I went and got some nice things including a handmade coffee table that I still have. I have always been taught to do nice for people anyway so that wasn't a problem for me. I have never forgotten her or what she said to me.