Pay it forward

The other day a "Speak Out" comment concerning people asking for money at gas stations caught my eye, and I just had to respond to it. That happened to me this summer. My granddaughter was with me and I was trying to teach her how to pump gas since she is turning 16. A young lady approached us and asked for milk for her baby. A hundred thoughts crossed my mind. Does she really need milk or is this a scam? Should she be reported to the authorities or to the owner of the gas station? But the most important thought was that my granddaughter was watching me to see what I was going to do. So we accompanied this young lady inside and she picked up some milk, cheese crackers and cookies. I asked her how old her baby was and she said 18 months old. Then we paid for her purchases which were about $3.75.

After that, Granddaughter and I went to an office supply store and were checking out when (I kid you not) a "Rewards" card popped out of my wallet. I asked if it was still good and they said yes. When we got back to the car, I looked at the receipt and our discount with the Rewards Card was $3.75. I cried and hugged Granddaughter and told her what had just happened. We were repaid the amount we had just "given" to this young lady in desperate need.

RUTH SMITH, Cape Girardeau