After organizing summer camp for 7th grade students with a theme of higher education for young people, my work colleague and I went out for a work dinner at the Olive Garden in Everett. With our energy and excitement funneled toward helping others all day and in the year ahead, we took some time out to eat and debrief. Surprisingly, we were touched by a thoughtful act of kindness before we even unrolled our napkin and silverware.
Do you remember the heart-warming movie released in 2000, “Pay it Forward,” starring a 12-year-old Haley Joel Osment and Helen Hunt? The plot had to do with the goodness of human nature, changing the world for the better. Just give goodness a chance. That movie with its important universal theme flashed back during our dinner at the Olive Garden.
An unobtrusive looking gentleman in monochromatic, floral summer attire subtly walked up and set a card on our table like a miniature tent made of paper and plastic and left as quietly as arriving. “He” had left us a certificate that paid for every cent of our working meal. In a packed restaurant of patrons, one giving humanitarian paid it forward to two others. He did it not even realizing the strong connection and significance of his act.
There are many ways to pay it forward and this is one lovely example. Think about it this year, starting today: Will you share your goodness? We need to continue to change the world for the better, in small ways and large, and pay it forward in human goodness to encourage positive change.
My colleague and I would like to thank this gentleman, wherever he is, and ask you to pay it forward, three times.
Patricia Hayes
Mount Vernon
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