This afternoon the boys and I had a learning experience, and those are the best kind, if you ask me. We were at the pharmacy on post waiting for my prescription for my newly diagnosed hypothyroidism (Fun!), when Sam came across a vending machine and asked for a treat. He and Tristan were being well-behaved so I said sure, but I only had enough cash on me for one item. Tristan said, “That’s fine, we’ll just share it.” (What a sweetie). As I was about to put my money into the machine, a young woman stepped in front of me and swiped her debit card and said, “Go ahead, it’s on me.” The boys and I were in shock for a second because we aren’t used to such generosity from strangers, but we quickly said thank you and they made their selections (mini oreos and a twix).

As the boys were reaching in for their snacks, the young woman, who looked no older than 20, told me that she was having a rough day, so giving a treat to the boys was a way to try to help herself feel better. She said it was selfishly motivated, really. Well, giving to others in order to feel better is the kind of selfishness this world needs. Badly. I told her that we would pay it forward and thanked her again. Even though we are taught this lesson again and again in recovery, “normal” people need to hear it, too. We all feel like shit sometimes because that’s just the way life is. However, there are actions we can take to help get ourselves out of our emotional black holes. Doing something for somebody else is one of those things. I hope seeing my boys smile and hearing them say thank you made that young lady feel even just a smidge better. I can’t wait to pay it forward with my boys one day soon so they can see how good it feels to just give for the warm, joyful feeling it stirs in their hearts. Giving is the best way to receive. So grateful to be reminded of that today. So grateful my boys had this experience and heard from someone other than their mother that giving makes you feel better. I pray they both become givers and reap the sweet rewards that a generous heart yields. Collecting things for ourselves only leads to ever more wanting of more and more things. Giving to others soothes the restless heart and calms the chaotic soul. I will try to give more and be a better example for my boys. Thank you, kind stranger, for making a difference in our day and in our hearts.