The Back To School Email That Brought Me to Tears

'Back to School' is here! Can you believe it? It's that time when every parent is frantically trying to buy school supplies at the last minute, while the kids are bummed out that the summer is over.  But in the midst of all the chaos, how about we 'pay it forward'?

Allow me to explain.  I read this email last night, and I want to share it with you:

Dear Tom,

I have listened to you and know you love to hear great stories and I have one that I couldn't wait to share with you.  Just more proof on how great the people of this community can be.

I was at the Dollar General with my daughter this evening trying to round up the minimum basics of school supplies with only $6 cash in hand and a negative $33 bucks in my bank account.

We picked out 1 binder, 1 pack of notebook paper, 2 comp notebooks...4 items....and we were at 5.75+tax. I told my daughter that pencils and pens will have to wait, I am sure there is a pencil and pen at home somewhere.

At the check out, I must have looked frazzled, the guy asked "One of those days"? I explained that yes, we were trying to get school supplies with $6......Total was $6.12.

I had $6.09.

The cashier was kind enough to cover the difference. I thanked him, and we headed to the car.

Apparently a lady overheard our struggle, and unbeknownst to me, while I was paying for our stuff, she handed my daughter $10 bucks and whispered in her ear..."go buy you some school supplies".

My daughter thanked her, and told me what happened when we got outside. I couldn't believe it. I was shocked and nearly in tears when we went back inside, and graciously thanked this lady, to which she replied, "just pay it forward."

We were able to buy pens, pencils, another binder, comp notebook, dividers. I know there will be alot more items that she will need, but thanks to the generosity of one person in this community, that didn't know us from Jack, I feel she has enough to start off the first day feeling okay.

If you would, share our story, and give a special shout out to this lady at the dollar store on the beach for making a little girls first day back to school a little brighter.

With everything going on in the world today, it's nice to know that there are good people with tender hearts out there.  This letter makes me want to pay it forward, and I wasn't even the one that was blessed by the good Samaritan.

I hope you were touched by this letter as much as I am, and you too will 'pay it forward'.