As senior Lizzie Woodard drove down Highway 112, her car decided it was out of gas and left her there stranded. Along came a good Samaritan lady, who Woodard didn’t know. She helped her push her vehicle into the Samaritans drive way. Not only that, but she also gave Woodard gas and some gas money. All she asked in return was for Woodard to do a good deed for someone else.
“It was amazing because I was just some random person to her,” said Woodard.
Thanksgiving and Christmas keep alive the giving nature in many people, which is why it is called the giving season. Paying it forward keeps this spirit alive throughout the year.
Often people pay it forward, not only to brighten someone else’s day but also in hope of their own good fortune.
“I was in Key club last year and we started out simply writing Christmas cards to the elderly. Then we moved on to bigger things like volunteering at baseball games, and we did a lot of fundraisers for the Arkansas children’s hospital. We did a walk-a-thon too,” said sophomore Laura Ellenberger.
People all around the world are paying it forward every day by doing things ranging from complimenting someone to paying for the meal of the person behind them.
“I was at McDonald’s and I just ordered a hash brown and sweet tea and when I got to the window the guy said the nice lady in front of me paid for my food,” said senior Haley Wade.
Wade tried to wave a thank you to the sweet lady, but could not get her attention in time.
“I was very thankful! It gives you little hope that some people still have good hearts in this world,” said Wade.
People don’t always realize that even the smallest of the good deeds they do is considered paying it forward; simply a kindhearted gesture is all it takes.
“I was going through a bunch of drama and my friend and I were texting. He asked me if anything was wrong and I said no. He sent me a text saying that he had a surprise for me and then he showed up to my house with flowers,” said junior Jamie Insixiengmay.
Whether it’s flowers or a full tank of gas, it’s the heartfelt notion that counts.