Reader says 'thank you,' learns about paying it forward

To the editor:

Last Sunday I went to Walmart for groceries, but when I tried to check-out, my debit card wouldn't work... and I couldn't figure out why! I had the money in the account. I called the bank, but since it was Sunday no one answered; the automated menu was worthless. I tried to push my cart off to the side while calling the bank. While enduring the automated phone menu aggravation and lack of help on the phone, the lady behind me in line wrote a check for the full amount of my groceries (almost $85!) and passed it to the cashier before I realized what was happening! I was stunned! I was shocked, and remained in shock until I reached the parking lot (still on the phone with the unhelpful recorded bank messages pressing endless buttons trying to talk to a human).

It struck me that I never even got her name. Sure, I said "thank you" but without her name I couldn't pay her back or even send her a Thank-You card! I think a lot of people consider themselves to be charitable, but not many would help out a poor stressed girl with an $85 bill at Walmart -- ESPECIALLY in this economy! The best I can do is learn from her example and "pay it forward." Now that I can access my money on my debit card again, I'm donating $85 to charity; I plan to seek out opportunities of my own to unexpectedly help people in trouble, too. This nice lady taught me a great lesson and set a wonderful example -- I will work to be as kind and charitable as the nice lady who helped me pay for my groceries that day. Thank you again, whoever you are!

Samantha Dicenso

Poplar Bluff, Mo.