Pay It Forward Wednesday

Do you remember this movie?

When this movie first came out, I was instantly attracted. Recently, I have seen local news stations who give money to people in the community and then follow them as they "pay it forward"... What I have noticed beyond the tears, joy, and surprise is this:

We all have the power to make a difference through kindness.

Whether or not we choose to make this difference is up to us.

Over the past several years, Daddy H and I have been on both sides of the "pay it forward" equation, as givers and receivers. And every time, EVERY TIME, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive and something for which I am very grateful.

Therefore, each Wednesday on my blog is going to be "Pay It Forward Wednesday".

In 2004, back when Myddle H and Bigg H were about 17 months old and around 2 1/2, we came across some really hard times financially. We didn't know what we were going to do as far as Christmas was concerned, but we wanted to make it special for the kids. We invited one of my friends from work to spend Christmas Eve with us -- nothing fancy, just a few different "appetizer type" foods. Anyway, we had a great time and were so grateful to have some company and make Christmas special for our kiddos.

After we finished eating, this friend said she needed to out to her car to get something she had forgotten. When she came back in the house, she had BAGS and I mean BAGS of wrapped presents for the kids. Everything we had been stressing about getting them for Christmas... pants, shirts, socks, shoes, even toothbrushes and toothpaste... even a few adorable toys...

It literally took my breath away. All I could say over and over was "thank you!" But, of course, it didn't seem like enough.

For weeks and weeks, each time my kids wore their new warm clothes to daycare or had on pants that actually were long enough I remembered this person's kindness. Every time we brushed our teeth, I thought about how much it meant to have something so many times before I just taken for granted. When I tied my kids' shoes, I reflected on how without this person, they may not have had comfortable, warm shoes to wear. When I would play with them and their toys, I smiled inside knowing the joy this person had given to us.

So, thanks again, friend. I know I said thank you back then, but I hope you know today just how much your generosity meant to us then and now. Every single Christmas I remember what you did for us and I always will be grateful.