PAY BACKS~

I know that it is usually called Paying It Forward, but for us, as of late, it is considered paybacks.

For quite a few months now, well actually, all my life, I have randomly given what I can to homeless people, or just people in need, in general. It is usually $5 or $10 or whatever I really can spare at that moment in time. I never look back and never expect anything in return. My parents have always done the same and this is where I learned it from.

On our way to San Diego, we made the usual stop at McDonald's in Yuma. I had driven the way there (you will read about that great adventure soon) and waited for Tommy to come back to the truck to beg him to drive into San Diego.

I stood outside the passenger door and watched a man sitting on the sidewalk with a sign stating that he was a plumber in need of work. He was not begging and was not bothering anyone. I had to work very hard not to watch him. My kiddies were also watching him.

Tommy came back to the truck, hopped in the drivers seat and without a second glance, asked me, "Did you give him some money for lunch?" I told him no and he shocked me by asking me why not? I don't know why it came as a surprise, but it did. We ended up buying this man lunch and he asked if I would like a rose made from palm frawns. My mind raced back to the crosses made at church on Palm Sunday. I initially told him no thank you and started back to our truck. He asked me again, "Are you sure you don't want one?" I about faced and told him, "You know what, I would absolutely love one."

It has a PERMANENT place in my visor now.

The conversation that followed was basically how much Tommy has been helping those that he sees at work. He had never mentioned taking people to get them dinner or water or something to help them. I was so proud that maybe something I do was rubbing off on him. I ended the conversation with, "We are so lucky. I am a firm believer that God rewards those that help."

Fast forward to Sunday when we got home...LATE.

Our refrigerator in our kitchen was not working. The panel for the ice maker/dispenser was just flashing and making clunking noises. This happens every time we go to Cali. Something breaks. Last year it was an A/C unit. I cringe upon every return.

Just my luck...... the repair man comes today and the first thing he asks me is..."Did anyone mention how much it costs just to have me come to the house today and how much the diagnosis costs." I must have looked like I was on the verge of tears because he got on his phone right away..and 5 minutes later announced to me that Maytag would pay for the part. Then he told me that the part was over $300.00. It took my new favorite repair man 1 second to diagnose the problem and 7 minutes to replace the part. He saved me over $350.00 in parts and tax.

I bought this sweet man lunch today too. (and then some, I suppose)