It has been a while since I've had the opportunity to sit uninterrupted and write.  Lady Summer has wrapped her arms around us out on the farm.  She has brought us baby kittens, eight precious puppies, a set of twin loons singing us to sleep and grapes in the vineyard. The neighbor's cattle in the yard from time to time are considered a bonus for girls with horses and saddles.  The first year on the farm has managed to swallow us up in many projects. My husband, Tom's, "honey-do list" rolled out completely would look like an ancient scroll.  I like to call it "marriage security."  As long as there are projects, he knows he is needed!

Each month I like to write about musings and an occasional "slice of life" story that is either poignant, funny, or sometimes life changing.  The following is a true life event that has touched me deep within and I hope it touches you too.  More importantly, my wish for you is that it stirs in your heart and calls you to Pay It Forward.

PAY IT FORWARD...

Fairy Tale Endings

Many of you are familiar with the "Pay It Forward" philosophy that began a few years back.  The Pay It Forward philosophy was penned in a book written by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and later made into a major motion picture. It is an action plan within a work of fiction that has become a real-life social movement.. The teacher and protagonist in the book, Pay It Forward, creates a movement with a voluntary, extra-credit assignment: Think of an idea for world change and put it into action. Trevor, the 12-year-old hero of Pay It Forward thinks of quite an idea. He describes it to his mother and teacher this way: "You see, I do something real good for three people. And then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say, don't pay it back, pay it forward. To three more people each, so nine people get helped. Then those people have to do the same and twenty-seven people are helped." He turned on the calculator and punched in a few numbers... "Then it sort of spreads out... to 81, then 243, then 729, then 2187. See how big it gets!"

Sometimes we feel that there is nothing we can do to change the world, but small acts of kindness can reap enormous results. That was the philosophy behind my own Pay It Forward movement.  About ten months ago, with the assistance of my three children, we designed and laid out a small business card that was intended to be used with each random act of kindness.  Since the inception and the design of the first card, we have printed over 50,000 cards.  The cards were packaged into unique gift packs of 25 cards and I have sold them at events and online.  A portion of the proceeds is Paid Forward to the Children's Cancer Hospital in Minneapolis where my middle daughter was treated the past two years. 

This experience has grown more than I could have imagined and the momentum is sweeping the Rongen Family off their feet!  It is the vehicle for others to change the world. 

If I had a doubt about if people were really using these cards, it was erased last Thursday in the Chicago O'Hare Airport.  I was grumbling to myself about the connection through one of the busiest airports in the world when God tapped on my heart. 

Inside the airport store that sold magazines, snacks, sodas and books, I was three deep in line to pay for my Diet Coke and Oprah Magazine.  Directly in front of me was a clean cut gentleman in his forties that appeared to be a frequent business traveler.  In front of him was a young mom with a baby strapped to her chest in a travel pouch.  The adorable blue-eyed-blond-haired baby boy was exercising his lungs at full throttle.  The young mom, traveling alone was trying to calm him down and reach in her pockets for the amount flashing on the till... $4.75. 

The young woman in her teens behind the till loudly exclaimed to the business traveler, "Are you ready?"  She ignored the young mom who was feverishly trying to locate her money in her travel bag while tying to calm her small child.  The business traveler motioned quietly to the sales clerk to come closer.  As she did, he pursed his lips together and drew his pointing finger to his mouth and in a low voice said, "I'd like to pay for hers," pointing to the young mother. "Please, do not let her know that I did." He slid a filthy business card that was tattered, crinkled and well used across the counter toward the sales clerk.  The young mother, far too busy with her son, noticed nothing of the conversation or the transaction.  I, on the other hand noticed everything.  The card, although used, was very familiar.  The bright colors and the diverse illustration of people from various cultures made me take a second look.  Slipping on my trifocals, I confirmed my excitement.   It was our uniquely designed Pay It Forward card.  Wow!  From the looks of it, it had really been Paid Forward. 

If I had doubted for a moment that it was a counterfeit, my skepticism was put to rest when I read the bottom of the card where my favorite quote by Ghandi was highlighted in orange. "Be the Change You Want To See in The World!"  Reading the card sideways and mouthing the words hit me as if it was the first time reading those life changing words.  Trying to keep calm long enough to pay, while my mind danced with joy, was difficult; I could hardly contain myself.  I walked out into the airport corridor and watched the sales clerk pass on the card to the young mother.  I could see the two of them talking and then watched the mother read the front of the card.  The sales clerk motioned for her to turn the card over.  As she finished, she drew the soiled card to her chest alongside the now calm baby and the tears dropped.  I continued to watch her as she walked slowly down the corridor all the while looking at the card, flipping it over from time to time re-reading the instructions.  As she walked out of sight, I transferred the joy from my brain to my legs and danced a quick jig.  I motioned my arm like professional football players do when scoring a touchdown and said out loud, "Oh Yeah... Oh Yeah... Lives they are a Changin."

I looked up at the departures/arrivals board to see that my flight was on its final boarding call.  With a new found zip in my feet, I ran to my gate and arrived just as they were closing the jetway.  I felt in that moment of time that I was in a fairy tale where the endings are always happily ever after. 

Is today your day to pay it forward? Have a wonderful day filled with little miracles!