Paying It Forward, One Card at a Time

About two weeks ago something got inside me after hearing so many people talk about their troubles, then to top it off for weeks I have been watching that Facebook post that talks about commenting on someone’s post and they’ll send you something but you have to agree to do it to 10 other people, etc. Originally I wanted to do this little meme but to me that isn’t as nice as it could be so I ignored all those posts. I kept thinking about it though, for those that know me, know I love paying-it-forward in one form or another. But this was really, really getting to me.

Earlier this week I knew what I wanted to do, I was going to write something nice inside each letter telling the  person how special they are, that someone was thinking of them, or just to smile. Every envelope I stuck them in said smile too. My kids caught me writing in all these cards and asked what I was doing, so I thought for a moment if I was even going to tell them but thinking back to all the times in the past I have included them in paying-it-forward I decided I’d let them in on my little secret. Once I told my kids they smiled and said “That’s sweet” and went about their business.

For me though, I couldn’t wait for them all to go off to school and I could get out in town and deliver my pressure cards to random strangers. Okay, not all of them were random strangers, some I actually knew who they were going to but that’s all when things changed. I drove up to get my chocolate chip frap from McDonald’s and couldn’t find any of the people on my list. Instead I left a card in a random place that people will visit it often. I didn’t stick around to see the face that would get it, instead I headed home. I felt good about it and hoped it would make someone smile. On my way home though I got stopped at every light and then I got stuck behind the slowest driver.

At first I was irritated but then I saw the UPS truck was at my house, in fear I’d miss him I quickly drove over the big bumps that you drive down on a street, he was just getting in the van when I pulled up and yelled, “Wait, I’ll sign for it if I need to do it.” I thought for sure he would continue to ignore me but slowly he got out of his seat and went to get it. He looked upset.

As I signed for it the card dropped between my legs, I went to pick it up and realized he was the next person to get my card. I signed and handed him the car driving off to my spot. As I was lifting Nicoli out of his carseat and into my arms the UPS man drove up, rolled down his window and said “Yes ma’am you just made my day.” My heart jumped, it felt so good to hear those words. I had made someone smile, well he had just did the same to me.

Once the kids got home I told them what happened, they wanted to do it now. Instead I had them go with me to the store and leave a card at the RedBox Machine. I was about to drive off when another car blocked me. Now I had never wanted to see any of the faces of the people that got them, I wanted to stay anonymous and I never wanted to know who they were. It was just my good deed. We got to watch as the next person came to the Redbox, get the letter, open it up smile from ear to ear and put it back for the next person.

This felt great and my kids loved it. They now want to pass out cards at our local church, but secretly. Myself, I just think this is the coolest. I did explain they should never approach someone they don’t know but they could leave them in random places but never to expect them to know it was you because that makes it more meaningful. Oh to top it off I discovered after starting this that this is Random Acts of Kindness week. How cool is that?