Pay It Forward...

I had the most amazing experience earlier this evening...

I'm on day two of being at home with sick boys.  Benjamin is just beginning to feel better after an awful battle with the flu.  I've been lost in a mountain of laundry...bed sheets, towels, pajamas...

Earlier this evening I headed to Walmart to pick up more Tylenol Flu, 7-Up, Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup and Popsicles.  I haven't been out for a few days so I decided to pick up a few other things such as body wash, dish detergent, frozen meat, bread and other odds and ends. 

This next bit of information may seem irrelevant to this story, but I assure you it is important...

I was wearing a pair of jogging pants along with hottie husbands National Guard shirt, a red, synthetic top that reads "National Guard" on the front left breast and "Proud to serve my country" on the back.  As I stood in the check out line watching the cashier scan my items, a gentleman (he looked to be in his late 50's early 60's) stood behind me and called out, "excuse me mam"...

I turned and smiled, "yes?"  "Do you serve in the National Guard?" he questioned.  "Oh, no, I don't, but my husband does."  He smiled back, "That's fantastic!  What does he do?"  "He works with helicopters" I responded.  "Has he been in the guard long?" the curious gentleman asked.  "Total, about seven years."  I suddenly began to feel comfortable with this stranger, like I had known him all my life...I continued...."In fact, he is away right now for a few weeks.  He's in Fort Ashland, Nebraska for a training course."  I felt a lump rise in my throat as the words brought a stinging pain to my heart, remembering that our communication has been revoked until he returns...a challenge I am finding difficult to deal with.

The cashier rang up the total, "Your total comes to $82.76".  I reached for my wallet when I saw the strangers arm reach out towards the cashier...."I would like to pay for this young lady's groceries please" the man demanded.  I was stunned..."Oh my goodness, no...no...that is not necessary."  "I insist" he countered.  "That is very sweet of you to offer, but I can't let you do that."  "I want to do this...as a thank you to your husband....God bless your family."  He smiled and he pushed the card into the cashier's hand and said, "thank you." 

I felt my eyes sting with tears...I could not believe what was happening.  "Can I at least get your name and address so I can write you a thank you note?"  It seemed silly after I said it...but I wanted to do more than just say thank you.  "That won't be necessary, I'm just grateful for people like your husband...and for people like you, who support and love these young men, God bless." 

What an amazing miracle.  Three days ago my husband called to say I wouldn't hear from him for the next few weeks...he confided in me that this training was the most difficult training he has ever attended, he felt defeated, he missed me and the boys terribly....for three days I have cried myself to sleep with worry and hurt for my husband.  My heart has been overwhelmed with a love and proudness for this wonderful man that I took as my life partner, my best friend and my lover....

And earlier this evening, God sent an angel to assure me that I'm not the only one that is so very thankful for the good people like my husband.  An angel in flesh to help me understand that all is well...

God bless you, whoever you are.  You have touched my heart in such an incredible way.