Pay It Forward

I couldn't help but squealing while I skipped out of the door of MacKenzie River Pizza, Co. tonight after a nice family dinner.

Tonight I received my favorite Christmas present -- paying it forward. This year, though, it was a little different. Minutes after sitting down, close family friends walked in, who we had seen just the night before. They immediately became a candidate for our treat. Soon thereafter, friends of JoAnne's from work this past summer strolled by; they became our second candidate. As our family discussion of who we might treat continued, Brett nonchalantly scanned the restaurant for additional candidates. From the family vote, we decided upon JoAnne's co-workers - the couple and their two friends.

But here's the catch (and my favorite part). Dad says to the waiter: "We would like to pay for a table of four's dinner tonight. Is there anyway we could get their ticket?" The waiter looked at us with much confusion and responded with a reluctant, "Yeah, okay.....let me go get their waiter." Their waitress approached our table and gave us their bill. My dad continued, "Just let them know their dinner has been taken care of, but don't let them know that it was us. And tell them 'Happy New Year!' and that's all." Unanimously. On our way out, I glanced over to their table and saw them enjoying their company and each other, knowing that they would soon be surprised to discover their bill had been taken care of.

These kinds of gifts are so much more self-fulfilling because the gift of giving, I've found, is so much more joyous. And what's cool about paying it forward is that possibly it might spark a gift of giving in that person who received that gift in the first place; that's where it becomes changing to more than just one person, or more than one table at a restaurant.

So next time you're in the drive-thru line at Starbucks, surprise someone. Pay for the person behind you. It's a good feeling. :)