Pay It Forward

Did you see that movie? Pay it Forward...Kevin Spacey, that cute little boy that sees dead people...awesome movie! When I saw that movie, 1. I cried, and 2. I wanted to pay it forward. We tried out our idea, our version, soon after, and since then, every Wednesday, when I get my morning coffee, I pay for the car behind me in line at Starbucks. (I've given up Starbucks the past few weeks, but I may have to give in just on Wednesdays so I can keep this tradition going, hmmm.)

I know, in the big scheme of things, that my gesture of good will is quite small, but it makes me feel good. The kids like it too, and beg me to do it all the time. Once, I looked in the rearview mirror, and the lady behind me just had "bad morning" written all over her face. As I drove off, I imagined that maybe I had made her day a tiny bit brighter.

I'm blogging about this today because yesterday afternoon, I got thanked. I was standing in the lobby, watching Kiefer in his Taekwondo class, chatting with the other parents. I heard someone say behind me, "Wonder who Chocolate Pops is...are they here?" When I said, "Yep, that's me," the lady replied, "Thanks for my coffee." I didn't know what she was talking about at first. To be honest, it's gotten to be such a habit, I don't give it much thought anymore. It's just a little thing I do.

"I was having a rough morning that day, and when I pulled up to the window, the guy told me you had paid for my order. So thanks." She then told this to other moms standing there, and one said, "Like that movie, Pay It Forward."

Now, THAT was cool. I never expected to run into someone I paid for...I know the info is on the van...it's a little hard to miss...but I try to drive off before the car behind me spots me. I'm not, after all, doing it to get recognition. But this lady asked, and the Starbucks guy ratted me out.

Last night, I thought about one person, and that Bible school song, "This little light of mine." You know, we hear all the time how one person cannot make a difference. I think one person CAN make a difference. Even in the darkest night, one tiny flicker of light can illuminate the room. All the dark in the world can't put out one little light.

I was talking over this idea this morning with Kiefer, my youngest. "Like fireflies, mom." Fireflies...what a profound thought from an eight-year-old. Even on a dark night, especially on a dark night, we can see tiny fireflies lighting the sky. "Maybe good deeds are like fireflies, mom."

So, like in the song, this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Big or small, all around the neighborhood, cause you never know who is watching, who will see your light, who will say "thanks."