In the mid to late 1990’s we called them Random Acts of Kindness and these days we call it Paying It Forward. No matter what you call it, it’s doing a good deed for someone you may or may not know.
My mom and I were the recipients of such an anonymous gift last week and we wanted to say Thank You! We were enjoying a wonderful meal at a restaurant called Cucina South on Amelia Island, Florida. It was the last evening of our Christmas holiday to celebrate mom’s 80th birthday.
After our scrumptious meal, served by a fellow Texan from Roundrock, we awaited our bill so we could be on our way only to find out our meal had been paid for anonymously. Wow, what an amazing gift and totally unexpected. There were no strings attached to this good deed but one; you guessed it – to pay it forward.
In saying goodbye to our server and processing what a wonderful way to spread some holiday cheer, we learned our benefactors were from Garland. I guess we had quite the Texan contingent over in Florida.
To the young couple from Garland — thank you for our dinner and thank you for adding some goodness and light to this crazy world of ours. We will pay it forward (Mom, me and our server) and keep your good deed alive and well. We will never know why you picked us, but we appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. Metaphorically speaking, you put the cherry on top of a lovely vacation and celebration.
This ole’ world of ours would be a much better place if more of us practiced selfless giving to others. It doesn’t have to be something you buy either. It can be a smile or a simple act of kindness for a stranger or a friend. Give it a try, because you never know – YOU could be the spark that changes the world.
Your grateful Texan friends from Amarillo and Lubbock!