A $20 Good Samaritan

What a week . . . what a crazy, stressful, busy, non-stop action week.

And I am SO GLAD it is over.

Have you ever gotten to that point, after a few stressful days, that you really just don't care what else happens? This is going to sound so much more negative than I mean it to, and I really wasn't cranky about it, but I just had that whole, "Ok . . . whatever . . . we'll deal with it." kind of attitude.  I'm not often the "whatever" kind of person. But yesterday, I totally took on the "whatever" persona. I'm not proud of it . . . and it's since passed (thank goodness). . . but it was just one of those weeks.

However, in the midst of all of the stress . . . was one wonderful and inspiring moment at my very favorite place in the world.

Ok, maybe it's not my VERY FAVORITE place in the world, but it's certainly close.

So, here's the story.

Heading out to a client's office yesterday, I decided to stop and pick up a little gift card for one of the people at that office who really goes above and beyond in helping me when I am there. So, I stopped at the best place I could think of . . . Starbucks.

At the register, I handed the gift card to the barrista and contemplated whether I was going to get myself a coffee beverage. With the holidays coming, I have actually been cutting down on my Starbucks intake (the budget, you know.) It's actually been more of a self questioning "Do I really need to spend money on a coffee today?" to which the answer is usually "No. I really don't need that."  So, I stood there ready to take the gift card and run, when the barrista said, "Can I get you something to drink?"

He twisted my arm.

Ok . . . not really.

I thought long and hard, and decided that a grande coffee (with cream ONLY - no sweetener) would really cheer up this stressful chaotic mood I was in, so I splurged and order just that (going against every bit of my recent "do I really need this right now?" mentality. Actually, I think I answered my own question . . . that after a really stressful couple days, "YES. I NEED IT BAD.")

"Ok, this is going to sound weird, but the customer before you left me with $20 and told me to pay for the next 4 drink orders. So, your coffee is free today," said the barrista.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked.

"Nope," he said, "really, here's his $20. And here's your coffee."

I've seen the movie "Pay It Forward" and I've heard about those silent Good Samaritan's out there doing wonderful things like this, but have never before been the receiver of such generosity from a complete and total stranger, who wasn't even present to thank. For a minute, I thought I was on one of those ABC News programs, like, "What would YOU do?" and found myself looking around waiting for the camera man to come out and a bright light to be shining on me. Then again, it was only a $1.95 cup of coffee. But I have to tell you, it felt like I won the lottery.

 I think my eyes started to fill up with tears.

Because after a week of really frustrating scenarios, I realized that in the midst of all of that, there are still some amazingly generous people out there in this world. Kind people. People who want to do something good for others. People who want to do something good for complete and total strangers.

It gave me hope.

It gave me happiness.

It inspired me.

And when I next have an extra $20 in the wallet, I will be doing the same exact thing. Yes, I will be paying it forward.

I wonder if that man who left the $20 has any idea how much he did for me yesterday morning. How he pulled me out of a really crummy pity-party and made me realize that people can and are good to each other. And how there must be some sort of stronger force out there in the universe to make good things happen.

So today I am dedicating this post to the $20 Good Samaritan who visited my Starbucks yesterday. Thank you so much for treating me to a wonderful cup of coffee, and for reminding me of the good in the world. May good things come back to you, tenfold.