If you are in the Washington, DC area today (Friday) pick up a copy of the Washington Post. There is terrific story about the Year of Giving by Susan Kinzie in the Metro section. NPR’s Rebecca Sheir (WAMU 88.5FM) is also doing a story that will be aired on NPR’s Metro Connection at 1pm.
My car got a flat last week because of a pot hole in the parking lot of Target in Seven Corners, VA. The last thing I need right now is to pay for new tires.
I went over to Costco’s Tire Center to get two new tires placed on the car. I got there a half hour before they opened so that I could be first in line and that way I could get out of there quickly as I had a ton of things to do that day.
As it turns out, I was not the first one there. Lysa was sitting in her SUV when I arrived. Somebody else had the same idea.
Since I had some time before they opened I decided to see if Lysa would take my $10.
She was sitting in her vehicle reading her Kindle, which she said she loves. She was there to get her tires rotated and balanced.
It turns out that she is a personal shopper for Nordstrom department store. She loves her job. She has been doing this since the 90s when she did advance work for Clinton and Gore.
There are no photos or video of Lysa. She told me that there was no way that I was getting a picture of her in her “I’m just going to Costco” outfit.
She told me that she was going to put the $10 toward a care package that she is putting together for the mother of one of her children’s friends who is serving in the US military in Afghanistan. What a thoughtful use of the $10.
So…here is where my $10 gift turns into a net loss of $32.
At about this time there are numerous people waiting outside for the Tire Center to open. I start to wonder if they will just try to pretend like they were her before Lysa and me. There were no such issues and we go in only to find out that I have left my wallet at home (I keep the $10 in the inner pocket of a little notebook I carry around). The Costco employee says that he can not start the work until I pay and present my membership card. I was able to go over and get a temporary card at the Customer Service Center but I still had no way to pay for the tires up front. I asked if he would make an exception and start the work and then I would take the Metro back to my house, get my wallet and come back and pay for it. He agreed…but just one little problem. I had no money on me whatsoever. I had just given away all the money I had on me. So I could not take the Metro and was forced to take a taxi back to DC to my condo where I ran in to get my wallet and paid the driver. It cost me $20. Then I had to Metro back over to Costco…another $2.
Oh well…I got a $22 reminder to always take my wallet with me!
Year of Giving 
I’m sorry your morning turned out like it did, but I am laughing! Sorry! 🙂 Being a teacher, I’m always glad when someone learns a life lesson (especially when I learn one… and a $22 lesson isn’t all that bad, relatively speaking) but I just hate that you had to learn it this way. 🙂 I hope the rest of your day was productive!!! I plan to look for Susan Kinzie’s story online… will you please post a link to today’s NPR segment when there is one? Reed, you do my heart good every day. I can only imagine the good you are doing to the hearts of all your recipients.
Hi Susan! I will post the NPR link later today. I am excited to hear it…Rebecca Sheir does a great job!
Ah, I sure know that feeling of working so hard to get somewhere on time and get something accomplished only to be twarted by forgetting an important item! I had to go to Catholic university earlier this week to get some paperwork to be paid for being a research assistant for a researcher whose grant money comes through that institution. I was on the Metro as I had been interviewing for a position down at L’Enfant Plaza, and thought I would just jump off and go get the paperwork done. I have a stress fracture on my right foot and am in an inflatable cast, but the darn thing hurts like heck when I walk very far. anyway, it turned out it was quite a hike around the campus- which was gorgeous!- but I finally found the office only to discover that three picture IDs weren’t enough and instead I needed my social security card- which has no picture- or my passport. So, sighing, I headed out and began to limp back toward the Metro station. Then I saw the lovely Shrine looming ahead of me, and thought- what the heck- I’m here, I may as well venture inside and enjoy the ambiance. I was there for a Mass in the crypt chruch- which even though I am not Catholic was still a very spiritual experience, and also stood in awe in the upper church. I returned yesterday in a car and got away with parking illegally- don’t tell!- for ten minutes whilst I got paperwork signed! Just thought I’d share that little adventure- a deed not accomplished in the way I had planned due to lack of necessary materials left behind- but turned out just fine!
Hola, he leido su historia en el Washington Post.. y por su blog me entero que sabe español, asi que digo bueno un comentario en español para que siga practicando : ). Hace poco conversaba con unos amigos sobre lo rapido que pasa la vida y lo poco, creo yo, que de verdad la disfrutamos. Pienso ahora en las 91 sonrisas y las que estas a su vez han generado al contar sus historias o compartir los $10 con alguien mas. GRACIAS por hacer de este mundo un lugar mas especial aun, el saber que hay gente como Ud. que da.. porque no hay nada mejor que dar sin recibir… engrandece mi vision de el y estoy segura le guardara un lugar MUY especial en cada corazon que esta tocando…. como en el mio.
GRACIAS nuevamente..! La vida es muy sabia… y se lo retribuira con creces!!
Un abrazo desde Denver, CO. : )
PD: Un Año de Dar… no me sobra el dinero pero se que puedo dar un buen dia a alguien por los siguientes 365.. y mas. Graciasssss por tan buen corazon!! : )
Ugh…I read your blog today, as I was sitting in an in-service, and that was the only guttural noise that came to mind… “ugh”…I agree with the first poster that there was a lesson to be learned somewhere in the miasma that was your morning. But I have no idea what it is! LOL…I have been enjoying the blog and the personal stories you have been posting and have been sharing your progress periodically with my students…hopefully they are learning a life lesson as well.
Just read your story on Yahoo. I just wanted to say thank you for inspiring us all to be a little nicer, and I absolutely love that your mother taught you that it is most important to give when you are struggling. So true and so beautiful! Hopefully we will all give then and as well as when we aren’t struggling!
Thanks again!
Its really great that you are doing this. I don’t do it everyday but I’ll go buy a couple bags of groceries and drive around looking for homeless people or someone that looks hungry. It makes me feel real good. But today i think i offended a guy by asking him if he was hungry and if he wanted some oranges and bread and some Gatorade. Even though about 30 secs later I found 2 men that were very grateful. Keep spreading the good will, and always try and give a little bit more than you’ve got to give.
Reed, you seem like a really down to earth generous guy. I think what you are doing says a lot about your ethics and perspective on life. I almost wish more people in this world would smell the roses a little longer and take the time to do more good, no matter what that is. Big or small!
When I read your story in the Post today, I saw a link to this blog and wanted to share something that I have grown passionate about myself. There is a site called Tripping (https://www.tripping.com) and it’s a hospitality exchange website on a mission to bring good people together from around the world. I myself have become a huge fan and it is 100% free, which is always good when you are a full time public school teacher like myself.
It is a community of great people, so I thought you’d like to know about it. 🙂 Either way, I am a big fan of your story and what you are doing and just thought I would share.
Your story (from the Washington Post) is now on the front page of Yahoo. I think there will be more readers/followers to this blog moving forward. I know I will be checking in regularly to see how the year is going. 🙂
That post made my evening 🙂
Wow! Isn’t it great to have a mini adventure? Instead of sitting in Costco and waiting (or possibly spending more money) you got to go for a nice ride, got some extra exercise and made a memory (even if you don’t think it’s a good one!) Aren’t adventures grand?
I just read the article in the Washington Post. Thank you for making a difference to so many. It is so wonderful to know that there are people like you out there contributing towards happy hearts and smiles daily. “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows” – St. Francis of Assisi
This is such a brilliant idea!! I recently read about you on the front page of Yahoo.com and was utterly amazed at what you do… Keep it up who knows you may be rewarded for this one day 🙂
Here is the e-copy of the Washington Post article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031805421.html?g=0
Great work!!
Reed I think you are a wonderful gift from God. I am so glad I ran across your story. Only today have I heard of this story. I am saving this site in my favorites and I am going to read every read you have listed, and I will follow your story starting today. If I could see you now, I would give you a big hug for being the person that you are. We are in a society where people only think of them self. I have given people money that I have never seen before in my life, and most of the time you already know what they are going to do with the money, but when I give it come from my heart so what they do with it is up to them. I try not to judge people. Hardship can come to anyone, and we as humans as to be willing to help one another. I remember many times hearing from my granmother and others, ” When you think you doing bad always remember there is someone out there doing worst then you”. You keep up the good work, and I know God has a blessing for you.
Hello! I came to your blog from the Washington Post article. WONDERFUL! What you are doing is just that – WONDERFUL. I look forward to reading what you’ve already posted, and future ones as well.
Hey,
Read about you on the Washington Post. I think it’s great what you are doing. Good karma will surely come back to you. Good luck with everything. I know things will work out for the best 🙂
That sucks. Life is hard these days. I read the article about you just a couple of minutes ago. I just wanted to say that even though I cannot do what you do, My family (youngest child and unable to get a job; 19) is also struggling because of the economy, I will remember it for someday when I can. What you do is in an inspiration to me and some of my friends. I shared your story with them. May god bless you for years to come for you kind heart. I hope you find a job also! I’ll be rooting for you.
I love what you are doing! God bless you and I hope to see you some time.
P.S. I will gift my $10 away… 🙂
Oh my! What a day eh? I am so sorry you went through this but you always stay positive and give from your heart! I admire you so much~ Bless you~ xo