NTTGP: How do you pay it forward

Terrapantz · September 2013

So as I was sitting in the drive through line at Starbucks this morning I decided to pay for the coffee of the lady inline behind me. I told the Starbucks employee to tell the girl "happy Saturday". The Starbucks employee had a permanent grin on her face as she told me over and over how nice that was. So it got me thinking what do other people do to pay it forward? Has anyone done anything like this for you? I just got my provera period so I am in a sentimental mood!

Pintobean39 · September 2013

I've never done that but I use to do lots of volunteer work for hospice.

My mom died of cancer 14 yrs ago she had hospice for 7 months. It was a God sent. She was uninsured and couldn't get Medicaid so they paid for almost all her meds and supplies. Not to mention she had nurses to help me take care of her everyday.

I no longer work anymore so I started doing volunteer work to keep me occupied. I made cookies and brought to patients, I photographed a "senior" prom and had a back drop so they felt like they were in High School. I mostly sat and visited with family members, had lunch with them or sat with patients so the family could go out to eat, run errands, or just get away for a min.

In my training in the beginning I meet a woman that volunteers and we were having lunch and come to find out she was in charge of a fundraiser some people did for my mom, because of her my moms rent was paid so she could stay home and die in her own bed.

My husband also does hospice work, he says as a Dr its the only patients he feels he makes the biggest difference in their lives because he can help make them more comfortable at the end.

Because of my own health reasons in the past yr I can't really do much anymore but I do help in the office when they have computer problems.

Terrapantz · September 2013

Pinto that is amazing what you have done! I am so sorry to hear about your mother. My uncle died of leukemia and my aunt said the same thing about hospice. They were a god send. It takes a strong person to come in at the end of someone's life, help them until they have passed, and wake up to do it all again.

lest12 · September 2013

Pinto, that is amazing! Edit: I hope that didn't sound insensitive. I'm sorry about your mom. I just think it is awesome that you give back like that. And that you met that woman later on. I think it's amazing that you give back like that.

It puts mine to shame, lol. I was going to say I always donate $5-$10 when I'm hit up at a check-out register.

Terrapantz · September 2013

Lest every little bit counts!

Pintobean39 · September 2013

Terrapantz said:
Lest every little bit counts!

I TOTALLY agree! It's like a snowball effect. Regardless of what you are able to give down the line may become something so much bigger.

I'm just one person that volunteered for hospice but I trained about 10 more people. So that was 10 more families getting some much needed help. It's hard to see when you aren't in direct contact of what is the end result but sometimes just giving a $1 to someone in need may turn out to help hundreds of people.

Twinkie0612 · September 2013

I was stopped at a stop sign near my house and a guy on a bike asked for bus money, apparently he was late for work and didn't have money for the bus. I gave him some change and he offered to give me his watch. I told him to keep his watch and just do something nice for someone else when they need it.

karmajupiter · September 2013

I was donating plasma and whole blood to the Red Cross on a regular basis but unfortunately haven't been able to do so with the recent pregnancies/losses. Also, I've been participating in The Birthday Project the past two years and plan on making that amazing experience a yearly tradition.

I try to do little things out of the blue and when opportunity strikes. Paying it forward is a win win for everybody.

xnbride · September 2013

I love to pay for the people in back of me at fast food drive-thrus. I did that on Thursday after Bible study in fact. We also do the project Christmas child https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ every year. The kids LOVE picking stuff out for the boxes.

I am looking for even more ways to get involved and give back but I sometimes limit myself too much and end up missing out on wonderful opportunities. I love hearing all of your inspiring stories/ideas.

yurmom · September 2013

Pintobean39 said:

I've never done that but I use to do lots of volunteer work for hospice. My mom died of cancer 14 yrs ago she had hospice for 7 months. It was a God sent. She was uninsured and couldn't get Medicaid so they paid for almost all her meds and supplies. Not to mention she had nurses to help me take care of her everyday. I no longer work anymore so I started doing volunteer work to keep me occupied. I made cookies and brought to patients, I photographed a "senior" prom and had a back drop so they felt like they were in High School. I mostly sat and visited with family members, had lunch with them or sat with patients so the family could go out to eat, run errands, or just get away for a min. In my training in the beginning I meet a woman that volunteers and we were having lunch and come to find out she was in charge of a fundraiser some people did for my mom, because of her my moms rent was paid so she could stay home and die in her own bed. My husband also does hospice work, he says as a Dr its the only patients he feels he makes the biggest difference in their lives because he can help make them more comfortable at the end. Because of my own health reasons in the past yr I can't really do much anymore but I do help in the office when they have computer problems.

@Pintobean39 I am in love with you now. You are amazing and your husband too! As an NP in geriatrics hospice is amazing. I try to get all my terminal patients on it if they will agree. They were also amazing when my niece was on hospice. They made sure she was comfortable and able to pass away at home which is what my brother and SIL wanted.

I need to do something to pay it forward! I do a lot of work in IN for Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, but nothing really random. I should start paying for people behind me in the drive-thru...especially since I've been through 3 of them today.

cas889 · September 2013

The most recent "pay it forward" I can think of is the day after Memorial Day this year. I was at Wawa, and a guy in a coast guard uniform two people ahead of me had is credit card declined. I paid for his coffee/food and told him "Happy day after Memorial Day. Thank you for your service!" I try to do nice things for people as often as I can, it genuinely makes me feel good.

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