#payitfoward

A huge 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 to Humphrey Law, LLC and First Interstate Bank for helping with our 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴𝓼-𝓖𝓲𝓿𝓮-𝓐𝔀𝓪𝔂! We were able to provide dinners for 𝟐𝟖 families this year!

THE MIRACLE OF THE T-BONES AND THE UN-NAMED STRANGER

Life sure is interesting. And, at times, it is downright odd. But not always a bad odd. At times the kindness of strangers is totally unexpected and downright remarkable.

I had to run up to Fry's because I needed a bag of pet food. As is my custom, I travel through the produce section first in search for what I can spot on special that will work into a fine meal. I snagged a bag of russet potatoes in the red mesh bags for a buck, a package of mushrooms for $1.49, a bag of Asian stir-fry mix for $1.99. They all had those yellow stickers on them showing they are reduced. So long as you cook that day or the next, you can save money while eating very well.

My next move was to run over to the meat section to pick up the chicken. I thought that should make a quick dinner for when I was done weed-eating in the backyard for the day. (I have to tackle these manual jobs a little at a time these days. The backyard is truly overgrown from our rains. I did manage a pretty good start on the weeds and overrun bermuda grass today.)

Anyway, back to this story. I have such interesting grocery trips.

So as I was headed to check out the price on chicken, I saw T-bones were on sale. I picked up a package and it was marked $35.00 but on sale, reduced to $15.27. Even on sale, I just don't want to pay that much. But the disappointment must have shown on my face. Maybe I looked sad or sighed, or both because this very nicely-dressed elderly man -- older than me if you can imagine -- said "You should get it."

I told him even on sale, I can only look at them.

He asked me if I wanted to split a package?

I told him, no, that was okay, I would really be okay with chicken, but thank you all the same.

So then he says, "Let me get it for you."

My immediate response was shock. I said, really, that was okay, I am okay, This is too much. (I meant your offer is too much, not that the cost was too much.)

He says, "I want to get it for you."

"No, no, really, it's fine. Just that you offered is so kind."

I have to say I was taken aback because I am not used to strange men offering to be so generous without a reason. Sure, when I was 20 or 30, men offered plenty. But they definitely had a reason. My alert system was now kicking in. But I figured we are in a public place and other people are around, so everything really is fine. I told him that was such a kind gesture, but I will just make up this stir-fry for dinner, gesturing to my bag of clearance stir-fry. It will be just fine.

Then it hit me, I had three clearance items in the cart and half a pudding cake. Maybe he thinks I am destitute. Maybe he thinks I can only afford half a cake.

So I told him, "It's fine, I have money."

At this point, I did a quick mental check on myself. Yes, I was dressed decently and appropriately, had jewelry on, was clean, hair was combed. I was carrying an expensive purse and wearing good shoes. Okay, I didn't look like a homeless person.

Then I thought maybe I remind him of someone from his past that he needed to make amends to. Or maybe he hit the lottery and is just sharing his good luck. Maybe he's just lonely. Maybe he wanted to feel good about himself for whatever reason. Maybe he had dementia and thought I was someone else. Maybe.Maybe.Maybe. My mind was racing.

So I got my package of chicken and started talking to another woman to sort of diffuse the situation. She had scoped out a great deal on pork loin but she wasn't sure it could be that cheap. What was normally a $10 pork loin roll was on sale for $2. She said, "Can this be right?" I looked at it and it was marked as she said, and I did tell her pork does go on sale about this time of year, before Easter. I offered that maybe they overbought and sometimes they do Manager's Specials, and had to move it or lose it. Maybe they were just trying to re-coop their costs.

She pulled six of the loins and she said, "I have a freezer. These will be great on the grill." She looked like she had stolen the crown jewels. She was so happy. I ended up getting two myself and put them in my basket. (Pork loin this week, folks.)

I parked my buggy and went down the pet food isle and got my bag of Kit-n-Kaboodles. When I got back to the cart, there was the man again holding the package of T-bones.

I thought, "What do I do now?"

The man said, "Please, let me do this." He handed me the package and underneath the package were three five-dollar bills, to cover the cost. Before I could say any more, he was walking away,

I only managed to get out a, "Thank you," and he was gone.

So that's how I ended up having T-bones tonight rather than my chicken stir-fry, which will be on the menu for tomorrow night.

Aren't people just amazing? Who am I to deprive him of his paying it forward, keeping him from exercising his act of kindness? I actually was deeply touched. It is the oddest times that your faith in humanity is revived.

I must say, I enjoyed a good steak, baked potato with mushroom and shallot gravy from the un-named stranger all the while thinking what a wonderful act of kindness he bestowed upon me this day.

I vow to do this for someone else one day when I am particularly flush.

Thank you wherever you are. Thank you whoever you are.

"No one ever became poor from giving." It's that time of year again! It's our 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬-𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲! 🙌

If you know of any Gillette families deserving a little extra help this Thanksgiving send our 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, 𝐋𝐋𝐂 page a message! We want to donate a Turkey & all the sides so they can cook up a warm & memorable holiday meal! 🦃🥧

**𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟑𝟎 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫!**

We are taking nominations until Friday, November 14th.

Families will be contacted by November 17th.

The NICE list is overflowing! Santa & his elves can't keep up again this year!