The Latte that Changed My Thanksgiving
I was with my daughter a couple of weeks ago, driving my 3 Grandchildren to school.
On the way I asked if we could stop at Starbucks and get a Latte. We had a few extra minutes, so she got in the drive-thru line and waited while each car placed their order. When we reached the window the young man said, “the car ahead of you paid for your latte.” With jaws dropped, we looked at each other. Really? This had never happened to either of us and that simple gesture gave us an “Aha” moment. As we drove away, I said to my daughter, “You’ll have to go back and do the same thing.” “I will mom, I promise.“ Later that day she stopped at the same Starbucks and she, in turn, paid for the car behind. When she got back to the house the first thing she said was, “Mom, it felt so great to do that.” I was so proud of her & and the reward she felt from giving. She gave anonymously, knowing the person couldn’t pay her back. I’ve found that giving like that creates a “heart opening” experience for the giver.
For the past several years I have had the opportunity to watch friends, fellow team members at O’Connor’s, and colleagues, show just how big their hearts are by being great examples of selfless giving. Carrie, one of our outstanding Funeral Directors & her story in particular come to mind. If you remember a couple of blogs back Carrie shared about how she gave all of us at work the opportunity to donate clothing, linens, food, water and a myriad of other essentials to a family who lost their home in the Silver Fire. I was able to donate some things and I loved the feeling I got by giving back. Believe me, there’s nothing like it!
My point is this: Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and give thanks for the blessings they have been given throughout the year: a new job, restored health, a home, a burden lifted or a second chance. But as I ponder the word Thanksgiving, I see an opportunity for a different meaning; one that can sooth a lonely soul, comfort the weary, feed the hungry and bring worth back to a broken spirit. If you take the word “Thanksgiving” at face value, you can make such a huge difference in the lives of others! And the gift of giving and receiving is two-fold.
If you would like to share this feeling of giving with me, I invite you to pick just one of the very worthy & local causes below to GIVE to.
A new unwrapped toy for an underprivileged child, a coat you haven’t worn in ages, or food and clothing to supply our local food bank. They would all make a significant difference in the lives of those who have extreme needs.
Coat Drive for Welcome Inn – O’Connor Mortuary is officially sponsoring a coat drive for this wonderful & local volunteer organization. Coats of any size can be brought to our Laguna Hills location and dropped off with our lovely receptionist, Diana. Click here to learn more.
South County Outreach – You can donate food, clothing or time to this wonderful organization.
Orange County Fire Authority – “Sparks of Love” – A toy drive benefiting under-privileged children. Every fire station in Orange County is a drop-off location & they ask that the toys be new and unwrapped.
Age Well Senior Services – “Meals on Wheels”. – $25 will give a senior 25 meals.
I’d love to here about your experiences in giving back.
Please share a time below in the comments section, or let us know if you plan on becoming a benefactor to one of our drives or any other non-profit that you’ve chosen to support.
32 Comments
Pat,
My daughter’s and I for the past 2 years have taken our christmas money for my parents and we donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Orange. It gives me great joy to see my daughter plan out what she is going to buy. She looks at what is needed in the house and for the children. She makes a list of the stores that we need to go to and what she needs to buy. Once we have everything ready we take it all to the Ronald McDonald House and I can’t tell you how much joy and pride that comes to my heart to see her smile as she delivers her gifts. it is not much but boy does it feel good. We are now in the process of getting this year’s donations together. I’m sure it will feel even better this year just being able to give back and the lesson that it teaches my girls. Thanks for sharing your experience and letting us know that there are still good people in the world.
Blessing to you
Amy
Amy:
You have taught your daughters well. Once our children get the opportunity to show love and compassion to those less fortunate, it will become part of who they are. I have watched Neil’s father continue his legacy of giving back. His passion is contagious and his desire to provide for others is always at the forefront of his thoughts. Thank you for sharing this sweet story. Well done!
Pat
Hi Pat,
“Paying it Forward” truly does bring us satisfaction. I remember seeing the movie “Pay it Forward” and remembering the unique outlook and feeling it made apparent:just seeing everyday people take on the role of unknown benefactor, especially those that didn’t have much, but made up for it with positive actions and emotions.
Every year in October, all the Knights of Columbus Councils in all Catholic parishes do an annual “Tootsie Roll” drive to provide much needed funds for camps and other needs for those who are mentally retarded. I use the term “mentally retarded” because I have a brother who has this condition. This is the diagnosis. As times change, titles also change, so now the correct political term in society is “mentally or developmentally challenged”—same condition…new spin on it…and that’s O.K. so long as people just pay attention and remember that everyone EVERYONE in society has value and is entitled in their own way to experience some of the joys of life. So I have a special connection once a year to participate in this event.
Back to the “Tootsie” drive (personally can’t say they are my favorite). We stand in front of local supermarkets or other venues for 2 hour shifts, holding the special rolls with our logo and positive messages printed inside and out, wearing bright yellow and red aprons, carrying cans and offering a roll in friendship to anyone who has the charity to look our way, acknowledge our presence and maybe contribute. It could be a quarter, it could be $20 dollars, some people take the role, others shun it or ask us to give to someone who would like one, but doesn’t have any money.
We give of our time, and I missed last year, so on a whim, I decided to do a double shift. What a good choice it was! In the second shift, I had the opportunity to have short conversations with some very interesting people (the joy of just meeting people on the spot is a simple, nice joy!)
…and again I had the realization that, if you make the opportunity to give, you may also make the opportunity to receive:just be open..be open to receiving in unexpected ways.
Isn’t this the way that we make sense out of life?
Thank you, Greg
Greg:
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I too, remember the movie, “Pay it Forward.” Very powerful, poignant and to the point. It changed lives in miraculous ways. Giving back should happen all year long, and we know too well, that the Spirit of the Season only happens for a couple of months at the end of the year. How do we make it last? By not giving up the desire to perpetuate what we believe to be right and good, and doing it all year long.
Pat
Pat,
First off sorry for the delay response. What a great story, it is definitely a reminder to give back. It is nice to se people doing the nice gestures still today. I love how your daughter went back and payed for the people behind her drinks. That is great, I am going to do that as well. Its funny it is such a simple thing to do but it slips our minds. Thank you for the great story and remind us all during the holiday season to give back to our community and our friends and family.
<3 Shayna
Hi Little One,
I’m finding out that acts of kindness don’t always have to be monetary or tangible. It could simply be a kind word or a warm hug. I think most of us try and do that in our daily lives with our family, and I would like to make sure that I do that at O’Connor’s. We never know who might be having a really hard day and could use a random “word of kindness”, to help them through. I see this in you all the time!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts . .
MP
Pat,
I love this story. You have really encouraged me to do something like this. I think the idea of paying it forward to a complete stranger without looking for recognition is great. We get so caught up in our day to day activities and when you are the recipient of a random act of kindness, it makes your day so special and you in turn want to act kindly to all those around you. Thank You for reminding us all on how important “just being nice” really is.
Elsa,
I see you doing this every time I have an opportunity to observe the way to connect with our grieving families. Your continual “acts of kindness” are always very evident, very intentional and very well received. You give of yourself so that others will feel cared for. Thank you for being the wonderful person you are, and for communicating warmth and caring to your fellow man. You are a gift!
Pat
Pat, what a great story, I have had someone in front of me at starbucks purchase my drink. It was an older man and I could see him looking at me in the rear view mirror and was really creeped out not knowing what was going on, and when I got to the window I was told he paid for my drink. Then I felt like a jerk not knowing if he was creepy or just a really nice person, the gesture really made my day though and I returned the favor at a drive through a few days later when I saw a mom and her two kids in the car behind me. It was a great feeling. I will be bringing in some coats to O’Connor!
Hi Jenn:
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Most often we put up our defenses and move our thoughts to the negative side. I think we are all just being “careful” when we encounter something out of our comfort zone. I’m thankful, though, that you moved in a positive direction and chose to “pay it forward.” We never know how we can touch someone by doing an “act of kindness.” You proved that those wonderful traits can reveal themselves if we just let them!. Thank you!
Pat