Last summer, I was with my kids visiting my family in Cape Cod and had an amazing time. One of the things we did was walk the beach really early in the morning. I was with my boys, we had finished our walk and ended up on a pier with a bunch of fisherman, all of different ages. As usual, Riley (Mr. Inquisitive), walked away and started talking to someone. The next thing I knew, he was fishing with them and catching a few crabs and sand sharks. In fact, the picture of him below, he’s holding two of his prized catches, which in a few years will be staring in the movie “Jaws”.
The people who showed Riley how to crab actually left 30 minutes later and gave him everything: The bait, the net, the hook and most importantly, a lesson on how to do it. They asked that when we were done to please “Pay it Forward”. We have all heard that term but I wasn’t sure if my kids really knew what it meant. I explained to them that to “Pay it Forward” means as a response to someone’s kindness to you, you need to be kind to someone else.
When my boys were done fishing, they were excited to “Pay it Forward” and they found a young girl to give all of their materials to.
- When was the last time you did “Pay it Forward”?
- How often do you try to “Pay it Forward”?
PS: Something I like to do to “Pay it Forward” is to anonymously buy breakfast or lunch for someone in the military at the airport.
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I look forward to reading your comments!
Jeremy Bromberg says:
How often? Every damn day.
JB
Ed Sugar says:
We are here on earth but for one reason – to pay it forward everyday.
Naomi Lenoci says:
Buying lunch for a Senior at the Senior Center anonymously is a real treat! I love to watch their face trying to figure out who did it for them. I do this at least once and sometimes twice a week. Also once a month, at least, I donate sodas, bottled water or candy to one of the residents at the Victory Center Assisted Living where my mother lived. It is such a treat for them since most of them cannot get out often in the Winter months. Thanks for teaching it to your sons as well. We do it with our grandsons when delivering the goodies and they like it as well. Sometimes they will make a card to put in with the gift as well, but never sign their name. They add – “An admirer” – good choice for elders to see!