Lake Event 

Our family has a house on a lake.  We were there during Labor Day weekend.  On Sunday I was returning from a walk when a car slowly pulled up beside me.  I young lady with three children and an elderly woman were in the car.  The young lady lowered her window and told me she was in search of a place where they could see and access the lake.  She and her daughters were visiting from the Annapolis area and had been visiting her aunt who lived nearby.  That morning her aunt had requested to go see the water so the family was on a mission to find the lake. 

I invited them to our home.  The family spent the next 3 hours at the dock by the water.  I learned during our time together that the aunt had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer was not expected to live much longer.  Erika, as a single parent, was struggling in her daily affairs, particularly now that the school year was just beginning.  The children, Tyrone, Justin, and Lakisha were great to get to know.  None had ever fished before so we got out the rods and caught several fish that afternoon. Two fish did get away, but the afternoon was relaxing for the family.  Simple refreshments were given and Erika and her aunt were able to spend some time together simply talking in a setting that I believe they both enjoyed. 

Erika thanked me profusely, invited us to come look her up if we find ourselves in Annapolis, and asked if there was anything she could do for us.  I then told her about what our company was doing based on the Pay-It-Forward concept.  Erika had seen the movie and really believed in the concept.  She said she has had and acted on several Pay-It-Forward opportunities in the past and promised to continue in the future. 

Our families have continued to stay in touch.