A SIMPLE WAY TO PAY IT FORWARD

A few years ago, a darling little woman looked quite lost near an elevator at the clinic where I worked. When I asked her if I could help, she explained, almost in tears, that her husband was on a particular floor undergoing a test and she had turned herself around the wrong way after going to the cafeteria to grab a quick cup of tea. I tried to assure her that even those of us who worked there got ourselves in the very same situation on a daily basis and not to feel bad. With that, I escorted her to where her husband was waiting. Such a simple thing for me. A very tiny kindness in the scheme of a day-in-the-life. She thanked me profusely and took this bookmark from her purse and put it in my hand. A token of her gratitude she said, explaining that every greeting card she receives she turns into little bookmarks that she gives away. She was in her 80's, making little pieces of give-away-art. A very simple form of altered art. On the back she had written in beautiful cursive, 'God Bless You'..........book mark by C.J.

I love this bookmark and all that it embraces.

Make a little piece of art, share it with a complete stranger, leave it with your tip at the cafe or at the counter in your local PO where most of the time people are annoyed :) It's an "arty" way to PAY IT FORWARD and years down the road, someone will pull it out of their book and remember a tiny, random act of art kindness.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post Rella :o)

Miss Robyn said...

oh I just love you, I really do xoxo
(and yes, I am going to do this)

Gisele said...

Oh Rella what a wonderful gift to receive.....loved reading this post, made my eyes well up!

Kahshe Cottager said...

What a lovely idea! What a wise woman!

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful post, Rella!! I can think of all sorts of places that I could "pay it forward" - Starbucks, the gym, the porta-potties at soccer! I will do this. Thanks!! :)

Artifax said...

This post is so touching! What a wonderful idea!

One Crabapple said...

ohh I love this bookmark story !

What a great idea.

moi said...

Cindy,
This story touched my heart this morning. I have never thought of leaving my art somewhere or just these little acts of random kindness. You reminded me today that every little gesture means something. I am going to do this more often. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

This is so touching. I have often wondered what I can do with my small pieces of art, and this is such a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing a very sweet experience and a great idea for making the world a better place.