Pay It Forward!

Go to Mocha with Linda's blog for a chance to win one of three great music DVDs! Go on now - whatcha waiting for? Thank you, Linda, for having me as the winner of your last giveaway!

(Which reminds me of a post I previously did...I must go find...you visit Linda and I'll be back in a jiff. Ok, I'm back. Phew that took a while! I wrote this in Jan. of 2006.)

1/7/06

Pay it forward
What a great concept to pay it forward. You are helped by someone and in return you help someone else when he/she needs it.

Years ago, my infant nephew was at the doctor's office for his third week checkup. Such a cute little angel he is. He went blue though while at the doctor's office. And the start of a long (but successful) and trying process started for my brother-in-law and his wife, and of course my nephew. He was diagnosed with a very rare heart problem. The only doctor who could help him was in San Francisco. Little Charlie was medivacc'd to San Francisco. Greg & Angela needed to get their as well, but did not have the funds to take such a quick and expensive flight. (FYI, this is my ex-husband’s brother’s family.)

The start of pay it forward for our family began right then. One of the nurses offered them the money for the flight. I can't remember the exact amount, but it cost somewhere between $1000 to $1500. Her only requirement for such a generous gift was that they help someone when they could. She had been helped by someone and this person's requirement was that she pay it forward.

I'm happy to say that little Charlie is almost 6 now. He still has some medical problems and will still require additional surgeries and such the older he becomes. He's so darn adorable (though he doesn't want you to touch him). (Another side note, he’s almost 9 now! They recently moved to California to be closer to a facility specializing in autism.)

It has been my experience that if I have been able to help someone, I am not looking for his or her thanks or for repayment. It is very rewarding for me to be able to share. I only ask that he or she pay it forward as well. You never know when your generosity will make a world of difference to someone.

I just finished watching the movie Pay It Forward (gotta love TBS!) and as always was very touched by the message it spreads. Below is the link for the Pay it Forward foundation. If so inclined, check it out!
Pay It Forward Organization

(Updated 3/5/09~Now we're facing medical problems my nephew, but my nephew from James' side of the family. The outpouring of love and support has been tremendous. Mike's Baton Rouge neighbor told him that she donated monthly to St. Jude's Hospital, and she offered to pay for his next month's rent. When he told the neighbor he would be out of the apartment this weekend, she offered to pay him the money instead. I don't know anything about this neighbor or the story she might have to offer behind such a generous act, but I know that Mike won't be able to repay her in the coming months/years. My prayer is that he'll pay it forward, just like I'm sure he will.)

(P.P.S. - My brother, who passed away 7 years ago this month, was never married nor had any children. I love children and I always wanted my own little nieces and nephews to love on and adore. I've been fortunate enough to be married to two men who had a niece or a nephew or BOTH, and so I've claimed them as my own. Just because the marriage doesn't work out doesn't mean I stop loving those little ones. My niece is graduating from high school this year!!)


“I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)