A True Pay it Forward Story!

Over the years, my partner and I have been the recipients of generosity from friends and family.  We have always sought to return this kindness and recently had a chance to help someone in a big way.  

A co-worker of my partner was living in a small, shrinking town and driving a long way to find work in the larger town where we live.  The co-worker was an older woman, living alone in a small-minded negative place, trying to maintain an older home that was needing a lot of repairs, and living on adjunct faculty (part-time) money as it came in. She needed to relocate to the larger town and make a fresh start, but lacked the resources to do so.  Our chance to help was to offer her a place to stay until she could get settled.

She stayed with us for eight months completely free with furnished room, internet access, frequent meals, and access to kitchen, laundry, and other of our resources.  She did help out with some household chores.  We didn't want to charge "rent" because we wanted her to save money and get back on her feet.  She was able to save up enough money to pay down some debts, find a buyer for her home (a miracle!) and find a place of her own.  She is a good person and we know that in the future she will share what she can, with whomever she can, in her own "pay it forward".  

It's not always convenient or quick and easy to help others, but people can find ways, big or small, to make a difference in someone else's life for the better.  We strongly believe in sharing as best we can and working to eliminate a belief in "limited good(s)". People can share and succeed and NOT have it mean that someone else has to "lose" if you "win".  There IS enough to go around if we are willing to share!

Sincerely,

Jeanne L. de Grasse
Helen A. Barnes