Newark, NJ – No one knew it was me

I went to a fried chicken/pizza place in Newark, NJ and paid for the food of people as they walked in. No one knew it was me, I would just nod to the store clerk as I felt someone might have a need. Mothers (girls) with kids, etc.

Pay It Backwards: An Act Of Coffee Kindness

Check out this amazing story about ILBM fabulousness – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arthur-rosenfeld/pay-it-backwards-an-act-o_b_151793.html

Lacey, WA – a doll that changed many lives

Last Christmas (2007), I was at Target getting a few last minute gifts. I had found a Indian looking Bratz doll on clearance and thought my daughter might like it. I didn’t have much money, but decided to splurge a little on the extra.

When I got up to the checkout counter there was a woman with a girl of about 10 years old in front of me. I had placed my items at the checkout, and while waiting that young girl kept looking at the doll and smiling, but she didn’t speak to me. When they were through, the girl went over to the cafe a minute while the woman cleared out.

As the doll was scanned, on impulse I asked the woman if I could give it to her daughter. She looked at me and asked if I was serious. I said, yes. She was quiet for a moment, and then told that the young girl was a foster child. Just that week she and her sister had been rescued from a hotel room where they were living homeless, and she had taken the girl in. They were getting some necessary things for her that day.

She wanted me to meet the girl. Names were not exchanged, but I gave her a hug and wished her a happy holiday, and she was happy to have the doll. It was an overwhelming experience and even now I get goosebumps remembering it.

It has been a reminder to me that you never know what a small act of kindness means to another.

Teresa in Olympia, Washington – my young boys and I love the responses

I have done this for years at the fast-food drive thru places and my young boys and I love the responses we have gotten. I now do this at least once a week at the Starbucks in my area. I have no idea the effect it has on the person I have paid for, but it sure brightens my day!

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco – Toll Plaza

I was waiting in a long line of cars to pay the toll into San Francisco and when I reached the plaza I was told that the man in the car in front of me had paid my toll fee.

I really felt great and I past in on a different time.

Santa Maria, CA – I was car #47

I was car #47 out of a total of 181 cars before the string ended. The young woman at the Starbuck’s window told us that the car ahead of us had just paid 2.00 of our bill. We were, of course, stunned! We asked why and she told us that it had started 46 cars before us when a man had 3.52 in change coming and told her to just apply it to the car in line behind him. She and her partner at the coffee machine decided to see if they could keep the trend going so they just offered the option to each car that drove through. Twice they dug into their own pockets to keep the trend moving. It continued for 181 cars!
It’s not as though I saved any money. I actually paid for the entire 4.80 order for the car behind me so I spent a little more than I saved. It was just the opportunity to surprise an unexpecting stranger with a random act of kindness. How often do you get to do that?
The young ladies still talk about it. A string of 181 people being nice to strangers just because it felt good.
WOW!

Vegas – Hurricane Mikey & Marcie

Heard about this site from the local radio station. I actually have been part of several Starbucks ILBM mornings at the Enumclaw Starbucks. Such a great way to start a work day (both as the giver and the receiver).

Just wanted to share a story from a blogger friend of mine that lives in Vegas. He is a wonderful fella that has a Vegas blog (he works in the gaming industry) with a pretty loyal readership. He recently became friends with a nice gal at a local coffee shop just by stopping in regularily for a meal. See he is a very outgoing, very generous dude who meets new people easily. Long story short…he has a pretty cool “In Line Behind Me” type story posted on his blog. Check it out…..

http://hurricanemikey.blogspot.com/2009/02/marcie-fund.html

Wow is all I can say about how much we have raised to help this nice gal out of a tough situation!

Deana in Black Diamond – going to make Valentines

One day, right before Valentines Day, at the dollar store, this young girl was in line in front of me. She was getting a few girlie things. I noticed she was going through her purse and then sorting the things on the counter. Then she told the lady to leave some things off. One thing was a small packet of paper doilies. I was sure the girl wanted to make Valentines so I picked up the paper doilies and gave them to the checker with a dollar and told her the girl was going to make Valentines and she would surely need those. It felt good and the girl was appreciative.

Gwen in Monroe – the cupboards were virtually bare

I am the single mother of 3 teens and I can attest to the fact that my 16 year old son does indeed have a hollow leg. (The only explanation for all the food he can eat)

I am a breast cancer survivor. In the last few months I found out my brother was dying of cancer, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 4 and my daughter was having some nagging and scary symptoms.

This alone would have been stressful but we were having some financial issues as well and with the exception of peanut butter and top ramen the cupboards were virtually bare. My heart was agonizing for my children, although I considered our situation much more fortunate than most and temporary for a month or 2.

I was blown away to find out that my work bosses in secret had raised more than five hundred dollars in cash and gift cards to get us through this tough time. I look forward to being able to pay this forward and am humbled to be so blessed!

Mike – “why are you swiping my grass?”

Every year during the summer I make sure when I mow my lawn to just happen over to my next door neighbors with my lawn mower and swipe her grass as she calls it. She is nearly 90 years old and has her son in law taking care of the place. I know he is a busy guy so I make sure to keep her lawn looking good for her. The first time I did this she came out and said “why are you swiping my grass?” I said I thought I could sell it on the corner. hehehehehehe She brought me cookies. I love my neighbors. Who ever is home when the garbage man comes brings the cans in. On both sides of us. Its a fun little game.