If Only We All Learned How to Pay It Forward

   To survive in this world, many people embrace a survival of the fittest attitude. People become greedy, vicious and uncaring in order to remain intact. While I understand this, and sometimes embrace this same thought process, it never ceases to sadden me. We learn to walk alone. We learn to close ourselves off from all others in order to protect ourselves. But sometimes we are allowed to make a connection with other people. I was lucky enough to have an experience that proved there is still goodness left in this world.

   Even though I have lived in Seattle for months now, I have yet to buy myself an umbrella. I put it off thinking that the nice weather would continue if I was unprepared for bad weather. Apparently Mother Nature doesn't give a crap about my delusions.As I left work and began my 12 block trek home, the light drizzle became a violent downpour. Within five minutes I looked more like a beached mermaid than a frustrated human. I was so wet that my hair kept dripping into my eyes blurring my sight. I was wet and angry, but still I trudged on! My mantra became "just a few more blocks".

   I was so wet and cold that I couldn't feel my fingers, and more than once I thought about throwing myself into the mammoth puddles to end my misery, not that drowning in a one inch puddle would have been an easy feat. I jealously gazed at passers-by who had the sense to carry umbrellas with them. Unfortunately, I am not prone to stealing what isn't mine. But as I considered a life of thievery, a woman approached me walking the opposite direction. She looked me up and down taking in my sea-nymph state and asked me how far I was going. I automatically replied my new mantra "just a few more blocks." She handed her umbrella to me saying I could have it. Being raised a proper lady, I kindly refused stating I couldn't take her umbrella. She said it was fine because she had another one in her purse which she pulled out so I could see. She handed over her first umbrella with its case exclaiming, " Now you actually might make it home without drowning!" I thanked her for the gift and she kept on walking.

   This amazing woman never even asked me for a dime. She just gifted me her umbrella and continued on. Her kindness hit me hard. By the time I arrived home I was almost tearing up. A complete stranger had turned my whole day around. There was still good in the world. There were still people who cared about others. I swore from that moment on that I would carry an extra umbrella with me in order to pay forward her kindness. Maybe I can also save a fellow human from a terrible day. 

   So to my kind rescuer: Thank you for being the kind person you are. Thank you for saving me from a frustrating day. Thank you for boosting my spirits and making this world a better place. I hope the best for you and I promise I will strive to do the same for others!