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Paying it forward- It was just a little thing...

By Tammy Lankford,

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

January 16, 2011 07:30 AM

Friday I went to my local office supply store for ink for my printer. I've had the same printer now for a couple of years and I know the ones I buy, only that's not the ones I bought. I was putting it away in my desk when it hit me that I'd picked up 940 and not 920 HP cartridges.

So yesterday I was off to exchange them. I figured while I was in town since the entire family would be home for dinner to stop in and buy a few groceries. When I saw the amount of cars in the parking lot I nearly changed my mind. They were packed. I NEVER shop on weekends. (one advantage of being self employed means I can shop on Tuesday mornings not near any state pay day when the crowds are thinner) When I walked into Kroger there were NO CARTS. Bummer. Several other shoppers approached people as they were leaving the store and plied their bags into the leaving shoppers arms and ran off with their cart. It was really comical to watch.

But when it came my turn... a little elderly lady came out pushing a cart and I went with her to her car and helped her unload her groceries into the back seat and had a really nice chat with her. So when her groceries were all packed into her car I started back toward the store with the cart. About the time I was entering the door another elderly lady was headed out with no cart (obviously to look for one in the parking lot) and I gave her the cart and went halfway down the parking lot to the cart return and took two more back to the store. One for me and one for some other shopper.

I hurried through my shopping just picking up the things I wanted for dinner and a few special sale items. Then when waiting in the LONG line I picked up a book and 3 movies (conveniently placed for shoppers waiting in line to see)

I don't know if Kroger is always that busy on Saturday, but they were slammed. When I was leaving the bag boys had finally gotten out the parking lot to collect and bring some carts back inside the store. I'll be shopping on Tuesday again this week. But like that very nice lady that I helped load her groceries into her car said... we were all iced in last week and no one could get out until the weekend. So maybe I bought the wrong ink so I could meet that nice lady. What do you think>

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Kimberly A Norgard

Devlin McNiff Halstead Real Estate - East Hampton, NY

That's such a sweet story.

Jan 16, 2011 09:43 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Tammy,

I think you got the wrong cartridge so you could spend time with the neat lady and help her with her groceries. God works in mysterious ways.

Jan 16, 2011 09:46 AM

Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS

Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC

Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Yep, every decision we make has an affect on another person. God had a plan for you even before you went into the printer shop that you'd meet that nice lady and help her. You make me want to go shopping now :)

Jan 16, 2011 10:39 AM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Tammy, I hate the grocery store, so I make sure I smile the entire time I am there. When you smile you can't be angry....

Love your story! Now get back to shopping on Tuesdays, LOL.

Jan 16, 2011 11:09 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

And, with the pay it forward . . . which is a wonderful mind set . . . we are now looking for the nice ways we can do this! I'm glad you walk the walk Tammy. I think you got the wrong print ink 'cause you have a ton of things on your mind, and are about as forgetful as I can be :-) Ditzy blondes come in brunette and aubrun shades too, I've realized. You are a kind, loving person, and even in the chance events, you are kind and loving. Automatically. Even if you hadn't been there to help out the nice lady, you'd still be kind and loving. BTW, I don't like the crowds. Friday evening are good shopping days too. No one shops Friday evening after the long work week ;-)

Jan 16, 2011 11:52 AM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

You never know who you will meet on a daily basis. You could have been entertaining an "angel".

Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

I belive everything happens for a reason, Tammy! You were in the place where you were needed most!

Jan 16, 2011 12:29 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Kimberly- you should check out the group,

Dorie- I couldn't agree more.

Andrea- after that crowd we may just have to eat what's in the freezer for a couple of weeks.

Carla- so many times I have regreted that I didn't act when I looked back on something. I like that I have less of those regrets. Now when I think, "that would be a good idea" I just do it.

Robert- wouldn't that be something.

Donna- I agree. Sometimes we don't always recognize the reason or at least not immediately, but it's there.

Jan 16, 2011 03:51 PM

Sheldon Neal

Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ

That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Fate brings some great opportunities - often to help others - and thankfully we have people like you to take those opportunities and help so many folks in need :o)

Jan 16, 2011 04:40 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sheldon- yes, fate. And I know lots of great people who would have done the same, you among them.

Jan 16, 2011 04:58 PM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

You're such a sweet person, Tammy, and yes, things sometimes do happen for a reason -- or else we make them happen without realizing it. Maybe you just made it happen? And like you, I shop during the week, too, at off times and at off hours.

Jan 17, 2011 02:19 AM

Liz Wallace

Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY

Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I call a coincidence a God wink, Same thing happened to me a few days ago and the lady and I had a nice chat about grand children.

Jan 17, 2011 06:06 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

You could right Elizabeth, maybe I did make it happen.

Liz- a God wink, I like it.

Jan 17, 2011 06:41 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Tammy, how caring and thoughtful you are, a great pay it forward post.

Jan 17, 2011 06:41 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Tammy--I can picture you doing this. I hope that when I am that old lady someone like you helps me like you did.

How was dinner?

Jan 17, 2011 08:46 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Thanks Rebecca- she was just a doll of a lady and I enjoyed our brief conversation.

Mary- ME too. And dinner was fabulous. I've got to share that recipe ... it's "Mrs. Brown Casserole" in my family, with the original recipe coming from a neighbor of my parents. I've "refinded" it a bit, as I generally do.

Jan 17, 2011 09:02 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I'm sure your act of kindness will not soon be forgotten. She will really miss you the next time she shops and has to load the car herself, LOL!

Jan 17, 2011 11:32 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sharon- I wonder... if Kroger has extra bag boys for take out on Wednesdays (Senior Citizens Discount Day) I bet she nornally shops that day. I think I'll ask them and suggest it if they don't.

Jan 17, 2011 11:52 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Tammy--I will watch for the recipe. Have good day!!!!

Jan 18, 2011 12:45 AM

Heather Chavez

Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID

Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

How awesome of you, Tammy. The Powers That Be must have made you buy the wrong ink simply to help out and chat up a little old lady. It made you feel good and it had to have made the little old lady feel good. That's a paying it forward without even thinking about it. And, you helped some mysterious third party with your extra shopping cart, too. Extra karma points for you, lady. :)

Jan 18, 2011 02:25 PM