My Richmond Hill Saviour

I've often heard the term "pay it forward" and although I try to do my share when it comes to giving, whether donating monthly to a great charity or sparing some change for the homeless, I have never actually took part or been the recipient of a pay it forward scenario...until now.  And I must say what a great experience it was for me and an even better learning moment for my daughter. 

It was last Wednesday night.  I had just finished coaching our all girls little league baseball game in Richmond Hill and although we lost I had promised my daughter a treat for making contact with a pitch...let me explain. 

Bottom of the fourth, my daughter gives me a swing Sammy Sosa would be proud of, hits it to the shortstop but just can't beat the throw to first.  She feels awful for not getting on base and eventually losing by two runs and doesn't even think she should be rewarded with a snack, but a promise is a promise, so off to the corner store we go.

Now my daughter is no different than any other eleven year old kid in a candy store.  She heads straight for the chocolates and zones in on a Mars bar.  And not just a regular Mars bar, she goes in for the kill with a KING SIZE!  My first reaction is no way...but quickly I realize we are less than a block from our home and know exactly what will happen if my other two daughters see her chomping away.  So we make a deal, get the king size and share with your sisters.  She agrees and we are off to pay.  Get the total ($2.84) and as I reach in to grab my debit card I realize my wallet was left at home.  Uh oh, what's a coach to do?  Here I am with a king size mars bar which I promised my daughter (who still feels awful for not getting on base) and now I got to tell her that we need to leave the chocolate bar behind?

There goes my 'Dad of the Year' award. 

So in shame I announce to the woman behind the counter that I left my wallet at home and we cannot complete this transaction.  The look on my daughter's face is about to go from bad to worse when all of a sudden I hear from behind, "don't worry about it, I'll pay for it".  I turn and see an angel in the disguise of a 60-something year old man who lives in the neighbourhood about to buy a can of Canada Dry Ginger Ale.  "Oh no, that's ok" I say,  "you don't have to do that".  He insists saying that he really would like to pay for it and simply tells me to pay it forward. 

What a moment! 

A total stranger offering to pay for someone's king size chocolate bar for no reason whatsoever.  What a feeling that was for me and what a great moment for my daughter to witness.  Now I know some would say no big deal it was only a few bucks but I tell you the generosity of this man to not hesitate and help me out of this small dilemma was priceless, as if he was at the game himself and saw how things unfolded and felt compelled to make the situation better.  Worth way more than $2.84.

Needless to say my daughter and I are so excited to pay it forward and can't wait for the opportunity to do so...and hopefully the person we help also reacts the same way and keeps this streak going.

"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things."

Frank A. Clark