Letter: Paying it Forward demonstrates human decency

Editor, The Friday Flyer:

My brother and I went to a Denny’s restaurant about 25 years ago when, as we were walking towards the entrance, we saw this homeless guy sitting on their outside bench.

This guy was in bad need of a total makeover and a shower. My brother asked him if he was hungry and he said, “Yes.” My brother invited him to come with us and that he could order whatever he wanted and that he would pay for it.

When we went inside, the host told my brother that this guy was not welcome there. My brother took her aside and convinced her to seat him. I do not know what that man ordered, but my brother paid for it and we left.

Fast forward to about three years ago. At a gas station down the street from me, I was helped by a young woman who had a tattoo on her left upper arm from the movie “BeetleJuice.”

Later, I was on Amazon looking for a video to watch and I came across the movie, “Pay it Forward.” It reminded me of what my brother had done for the man at Denny’s. I thought about the young girl at the gas station and how she might like to have “BeetleJuice” so when she gets married and her kid(s) ask her about the tattoo, she could show them the movie. It was only $7.00 and I had it sent to her workplace.

Earlier this week, I went to Jack in the Box for lunch. As I entered, I took my wallet out and retrieved a $20.00 bill. As I walked to the counter, I struck up a conversation with a couple who were deciding what to order. I was there to get a new item on the menu and I asked them if they had ever tried it because it was very good. They said “no,” so I proceeded to tell them about it and that I was going to order it myself.

While I was speaking to the man, his wife was ordering. Before I had a chance to order, the lady behind the counter got my attention and handed me a bag. I asked her what it was. She told me that the couple I had been speaking to ordered it for me and had paid for it. What a surprise.

— Tim Cullen