A new job and a random act of kindness.

Hi there,

I've been a bit quiet here over the past few weeks as things have been pretty full on with other life activities... but I wanted to share a wee story with you about my experience with a random act of kindness from a complete stranger.

Recently I applied for and got a part-time job!

I'm super excited and start in just over a week. This leads me to my story. I desperately needed to update my spectacles as the ones I've been using are "$2 shop readers" and, as I've sellotaped them back together so many times to keep them functional, they are simply not a good look for return to a 'corporate' environment.

So, off I trotted to the local optometrist and had my eye check and was duly fitted for a pair of new progressive (bifocal) glasses, though I must admit I choked somewhat on the price as I agreed to the extra 'anti-glare' film and superior performance lenses that the lovely sales lady up sold me before I left. I paid $100 for the eye test and left wondering how on earth I was going to scrape up the remaining $1050 for the glasses which would be arriving in a week.

Oh well... at least my predicament seemed to amuse the two older women who were sitting in the reception area. I smiled at them and went on my way.

A week or so later, after raiding my husband and my travel savings (which left all of about $10 in that account), I went back to pick up my specs. At least we are in a position to squirrel away $30 bucks a week for that illusive holiday - it definitely came in handy for this unexpected expense and I know that there's a lot of people out there who struggle to save anything for a treat, let alone a rainy day!

The receptionist greeted me and when I said who I was she said "Oh yes, we've been expecting you." I just assumed it was because I was a little slow to pick up my glasses.

"There's been a pay it forward on your account, you only have $840 to pay." she smiled.

I must have looked completely confused. "What?... can you say that again? I don't know what you mean... " I was stunned.

"Don't overthink this." she replied. "One of our regular clients was in here and said she wanted to put some money towards your bill... she said she can afford it and she said it was about time she started paying it forward."

My head spun as I handed over my eftpos card and paid the balance of my account, less the $210 that an anonymous stranger had paid on my behalf. You hear about this kind of thing in movies, and it sure as hell never happens to me.

"Oh I feel a bit emotional about this." I said to the receptionist, feeling the tears welling up in my eyes. Fortunately she had good manners to look away while I got my act together.

Of course I asked her to thank my anonymous benefactor, and as I drove home after that incident, I was busy racking my brains about who it could have possibly been... was it one of the women in the reception when I first ordered the glasses? Or was it truly a random act of kindness?

Whoever you are... if you are out there and read this; A heartfelt thank you. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for this gift.

The emotion I felt at receiving this unexpected gift was indescribable... humbling... and will stay with me for a very long time.

I'm also racking my brains about how I can pay this kindness forward to another stranger...