Individuals Paying It Forward

I think that sometimes people think that to pay it forward, you must do something big. That is simply not the truth. My story comes to you at a Publix Grocery Store on April 9, 2008 after 5pm in Winter Garden, FL. I was in line getting ready to check out. I had a pie and a card for a friend who had recently lost her father. I was on my way to my friend's father's wake, which is the viewing of a deceased person, in case you didn't know. Well, there were two teenagers ahead of me and they were purchasing 3 items. The items were cheese, sausage, and one other item that I could not make out. Well, after the clerk told them the total, the look on their faces was despair and they told the clerk to take the sausage off. They gave her ten dollars and was about to leave and something inside me said you don't know them but that doesn't matter buy it and give it to them. So I told them to hold up and I would buy the sausage. They said no, we can't accept it. I insisted and had the clerk ring it up anyway and told them they had no choice because I had purchased it and I didn't eat that type of sausage. You should have seen their faces. Their mouths dropped! They were amazed! I got a feeling of joy and fullfilliment knowing that I had helped someone who needed it. I am hoping those kids learned from my actions and will pay it forward too. What moves people to pay it forward? I believe it is something within.

M. Koonce