So, its Monday April 18, 2011, and I thought rather than sitting and talking to myself, or my thoughts rambling in my head, I figured I may as well start this blog business thing. I have always enjoyed writing, and even one day thought I'd be an author, but.....anyway....a journal is a very personal keepsake of thoughts, so this won't be my heart outpouring to those willing to read, but just a thought for the day - or about things that I feel strongly about that bother me.
My first post therefore will be about "Paying it Forward". We have all had difficult financial times I am sure, and now, through my husband's hard work and dedication, I feel we are very fortunate to be more financially stable than I would have imagined even 5 years ago. He is very committed to doing the best he can to provide for me and our daughter - I appreciate that, but I also appreciate his time with family more than any money could buy. Hence, the reason we are now living in Prince George - to be a family - and support the career that is his life.
Prince George is a great small city - however, I've noticed there are many less fortunate/low income families - and especially the children....dirty clothes, unkept hair, sad faces. It makes me very sad. It makes you appreciate what you have even more, but then it also makes me want to give more than I ever have before. We have our regular charities we give to, United Way, Crohn's and Colitis, Heart and Stroke, Cancer Society, SPCA...and yet what we saw yesterday, just wanted me to "pay it forward"
After making a quick trip to WalMart, a young family infront of us had a buggy full of items that seemed to take forever to ring through. We waited patiently...I admired the little girl, about 6 yrs old, with a brand new bike - smiling from ear-to-ear. She was obviously getting the gift for becoming a big sister, for in the mother's arm, was a new born baby girl - Elizabeth was her name...one week old! Precious and sleeping - brought tears to me eyes. But that's nothing new for me...since we were blessed with one child, I often felt the urge to have another baby, but was not meant to be...we are proud of Victoria, but its still tears at me when I see a new baby. As the their transaction completed, unfortunately, the debit card was declined...the father then tried another card, but also declined. The father, only about 28 yrs old, looked so sad and embarassed...bringing his young family into the store and unable to pay for their purchases. Of course, some of you may think, well, if they can't afford neccessaties, perhaps they shouldn't have had another baby. But all I could think of was the joy that baby was giving them - the joy on the big sisters face to be riding out her new bike. So, as they put the sale on suspend, the family moved aside to sort out the items which we needed and perhaps put back what wasn't necessary at that time. It was breaking my heart at the father tried numerous times at the ATM, but nothing...just a receipt saying "declined".
As our order was processing, Chris looked at me and he knows me too well...he gathered our bags as we asked the Cashier how much their purchase total was...$349 she said...Chris walked away...I teared up...and as I walked past, I could hear them discussing what they were gonna do...Chris turned around, looked at me, and said "I know you're gonna do it"......He left for our vehicle and I walked back with my open wallet to the family. The father had tears in his eyes, and the little girl with the bike was not just holding it to the side, thinking of course, her gift may be the first thing to come off the list. And for me, having one child, or those that do, you know they always comes first...you never want to have them go without - not spoil them, but let them feel fortunate to get treats now and again. Victoria has been very blessed with that rule - unfortunately, leading into the teenage years, its becoming a bit of an issue - one we are slowly working on calming. So, I look at the father - tears in his eyes - his scruffy unshaved face, dirty baseball cap hiding the unkept hair...I just held the Mom's hand and said, "I would like to pay for your purchases" They were speechless, but as easy as it would have been for them to accept, she politely said "I think we just went over our daily limit - there's no money"...I said not to worry and that I wanted the girl to have her big and ride with pride for being a big sister....but the father, being proud, would not accept my offer, but blessed me.....
I left with tears filling my eyes and I couldn't turn to look at them as I know I would have lost it. Although they never accepted, I feel very blessed that my heart wanted to help and that I would see the family benefitting from the donation personally.
I know there are plenty of unfortunate people around the world, devastation in Japan recently for instance. But there are so many below poverty families right here in our own country, our own cities...they just need a little pick me up to help them see the world isn't such a bad place.
I don't have a lot to give, but I feel such joy in knowing I could.
Thank you for reading today.
Paula
