Yesterday when I was at the vet's office... yup, dogs again, there was a woman there picking up medicine for her cat. She had a balance, not a large one, but wasn't able to pay it along with the new cost for the medication. She was upset, but my vet's office agreed to work out payments with her, which isn't their policy. I felt bad for her and turned my attention to Piper and looking out the window. I know she was embarrassed and she kept looking over at me. At one point I smiled at her. Hey, who am I to judge? I've been there... robbing Peter to pay Paul. Most of us HAVE.
It was Valentine's Day, not a favorite holiday as a dear friend of mine was discovered murdered 12 years ago on this holiday. Her 15 year old adopted son waited until her husband went out of town. He snuck up behind her as she was feeding her beloved animals in the barn, and shot her execution-style in the back of the head, then did the unthinkable to her dead body. I don't think any of her friends have ever really recovered from the brutality and horror of that tragic day. Many years before this, when I was still in college, a childhood friend committed suicide on Valentine's Day also. So, you see just why it isn't much of a holiday for me.
I do try to do good things in my life. I try to be a good person. My parents raised me to be generous and help those that are in need. So this woman's plight sparked something in me. It wasn't a large amount of money, but it was more than this woman obviously could afford. Drawing payments out would cost even more for her. As I was checking out and after she had left, I paid her balance. I told the staff that it was to be anonymous. It was nice to pay it forward.
Once upon a time, I had some wonderful friends pay it forward to me. When our beloved Gage fractured his elbow and needed to have expensive surgery, these friends called in their credit cards to help pay the bill. Gage's Angels came to be and to this day, I do not know all of their identities. This gesture was much less grandiose, but I hope, not less appreciated.
This society has become so selfish and all about me, Me, ME! It does a heart and soul good to do something selfless. A few days ago, our ambulance was sitting in a shopping complex as we were on a transfer to an eye doctor there. We came out to find a box of giant chocolate dipped strawberries on the driver's seat with a note... "We are thankful for people like you!!" The staff @ Edible Arrangements. Being in EMS, that RARELY ever happens to us. We are the forgotten emergency service, that is, until we are needed. This was such a wonderful gesture and so unexpected. It makes me smile to know that we really ARE appreciated.
It really is the little things in life that make me smile. They say to not sweat the small things, but I believe that you don't want to ever overlook the small things either. I hope this gave you a reason to smile... :)
Very much reason to smile! :)
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