Paying it forward

[+ purplekow]

I just learned that donald trump did not save my job. Come December 31, I will be unemployed for the first time in my adult life. The corporation which bough my practice 4 years ago, decided for reasons unclear, but likely related to the bottom line, that they were closing the office which served as the base of operations for about 18 doctors. Ancillary staff lay offs bring the total people facing a winter of discontent at about 15.

 

When she heard of my situation, one of my patients gave me a basket of fruit, a beautiful card and tickets to a football game this Sunday, which had been given to her in gratitude by a friend. The card brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. It confirmed that 25 years of dedication did not go unnoticed and unappreciated. I shared the fruit with the staff (really who can eat THAT much fruit) and I opted to give the football tickets to a friend who had never been to a professional game before. and who posts on her Facebook page, nothing but information about one of the teams. Her delight in receiving the tickets was overwhelming and more rewarding for me than even the sweetest of professional sports victories could be.

 

I wanted to go to the game, but then my cousin told me that this woman had bought 4 tires for him last week after his car had a blowout out on the highway. My cousin has been living hand to mouth since a storm related foreclosure of his house. He would have been left without transportation without help. At the time of the blow out, he was on the way back from picking up a neighbor who had been hospitalized. My cousin knew he needed tires but he also needed insulin and food and tires were just too far down the list to consider.

 

And so the circle goes. My cousin gave the ride, the woman gave the tires, I gave the tickets, the patient gave the card and the tickets, the patient's friend gave the tickets in response to some other kindness.

 

It is the season for giving. It is the season for special kindness. Pay it forward, it will make your holiday season brighter. It is the gift you can give yourself with indulgence.

[Bargara Leatherboy]

Very well said.

 

Good luck with 2017.

 

A chance to redesign your life, hope you end up doing exactly what you want!

[+ glennnn]

Oh, PK....I'm so sorry you are facing this trial. You are a major Mensch in my book and I wish you good luck as you sort through this crisis. I love what you said above about paying it forward. That is my theme for this season of giving as well, and your anecdote expressed it perfectly. With my warmest regards I say, "Keep the bright lights on, friend!"

[Bearofdistinction]

I just learned that donald trump did not save my job. Come December 31, I will be unemployed for the first time in my adult life. The corporation which bough my practice 4 years ago, decided for reasons unclear, but likely related to the bottom line, that they were closing the office which served as the base of operations for about 18 doctors. Ancillary staff lay offs bring the total people facing a winter of discontent at about 15.

 

When she heard of my situation, one of my patients gave me a basket of fruit, a beautiful card and tickets to a football game this Sunday, which had been given to her in gratitude by a friend. The card brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. It confirmed that 25 years of dedication did not go unnoticed and unappreciated. I shared the fruit with the staff (really who can eat THAT much fruit) and I opted to give the football tickets to a friend who had never been to a professional game before. and who posts on her Facebook page, nothing but information about one of the teams. Her delight in receiving the tickets was overwhelming and more rewarding for me than even the sweetest of professional sports victories could be.

 

I wanted to go to the game, but then my cousin told me that this woman had bought 4 tires for him last week after his car had a blowout out on the highway. My cousin has been living hand to mouth since a storm related foreclosure of his house. He would have been left without transportation without help. At the time of the blow out, he was on the way back from picking up a neighbor who had been hospitalized. My cousin knew he needed tires but he also needed insulin and food and tires were just too far down the list to consider.

 

And so the circle goes. My cousin gave the ride, the woman gave the tires, I gave the tickets, the patient gave the card and the tickets, the patient's friend gave the tickets in response to some other kindness.

 

It is the season for giving. It is the season for special kindness. Pay it forward, it will make your holiday season brighter. It is the gift you can give yourself with indulgence.

 

 

I am so sorry to hear of your trails and those of your friends, family and patients. I have heard so many similar situations described - that this year like in the past few -I am not giving "gifts" I am donating to charities and helping those I love and some strangers with things that they need. I am refusing all gifts and asking that people

donate or help instead -- How many kitchen appliances/candles/pieces of crystal/clothes/ do we really need -- When there are so many struggling for food, medicine and shelter .. Please give - but give smart - like PK!!

 

PK - You are a brilliant kow and a kind and giving man -- with desperately needed skills -- I am sorry for your much unappreciated and unexpected life displacement

but I am confident that you will land on your hooves!

[+ azdr0710]

He was driving home one evening

In his beat-up Pontiac

When an old lady flagged him down

Her Mercedes had a flat

He could see that she was frightened

Standing out there in the snow

'Til he said 'I'm here to help you, ma'm

By the way, my name's Joe.'

She said 'I'm from St. Louis

And I'm only passing through

I must've seen a hundred cars go by

This is awful nice of you.'

When he changed the tire

And closed her trunk

And was about to drive away

She said 'How much do I owe you?'

Here's what he had to say

'You don't owe me a thing

I've been there too

Someone once helped me out

Just the way I'm helping you

If you really wanna pay me back

Here's what you do

Don't let the chain of love end with you.'

Well, a few miles down the road

The lady saw a small cafe

She went in to grab a bite to eat

And then be on her way

But she couldn't help but notice

How the waitress smiled so sweet

She must have been eight months

Along and dead on her feet

No, she didn't know her story

And she probably never will

When the waitress went to get her

Change from a hundred dollar bill

The lady slipped right out the door

And on a nakpin left a note

There were tears in the waitress' eyes

When she read what she wrote

'You don't owe me a thing

I've been there too

Someone once helped me out

Just the way I'm helping you

If you really wanna pay me back

Here's what you do

Don't let the chain of love end with you.'

That night when she got

Home from work

The waitress climbed into bed

She was thinking about the money

And what the lady's note had said

As her husband lay there sleeping

She whispered soft and low

'Everything's gonna be alright

I love you, Joe.'

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_9HdZwf60U

[+ purplekow]

While I appreciate the warm regards, I relayed this story not to emphasixe how little kindnesses may make big differences. So I feel blessed and I go into 2017 confident that there will be great things ahead. I will also be looking for opportunities to be a little kinder and a bit more considerate. If you want to consider that a resolution, I guess I have my first Resolution for 2017.