Pay It Forward

I am right now nursing my baby, and just hung up the phone from my mum.
This morning is what I would call an ordinary morning, nothing really special, but my mum told me “it’s almost worthy of an article,” so here goes.

I had to be up extra early this morning to take my son Meir for a check up at the ENT (ears, nose and throat specialist), at the Sydney Children’s hospital. I hate driving in Sydney, I cannot stand the narrow streets, the one way roads, the long traffic lights and the constant ‘no turning right,’ (lol people say it’s hard to drive in Melbourne because of the trams – it’s a piece of cake compared), and so I walk everywhere.

I had completely forgotten that my front left tire had been feeling a bit dodgy – not flat yet, but with a few punctures and definitely on its way there. The moment I started driving to the hospital, I could feel it right away. ‘Yikes,’ I thought, ‘I really hope I make it.’

Thankfully, Meir and I were pottering towards the hospital to get to his appointment. As I drove, my sisters and mum rang on our ‘sisters’ WhatsApp chat, we speak daily, and their chatter took my mind off the tire. (Don’t worry, it was on speaker and we were driving slow and steady). Baruch Hashem, after circling just once (a miracle in Sydney) I found a parking spot and thanks to the kindness and help of strangers reversed in (I hate reverse parking). We made it to the appointment on time. We waited in the hospital longer than the actual appointment, classic and Thank G-d all was well with Meir. Although, it was a funny interaction with the doctor. He told me that Meir is extremely handsome, and must get it from his dad. “Haha,” I said “indeed.” He then out rightly said, “so, what’s your background?” I confidently responded, “Jewish, you couldn’t tell from the last name?” We then preceded to have a whole little Jewish history moment as I told him my background and my husbands. I always get myself into these situations, happily so, as if wearing a sticker on my forehead, ‘I’m Jewish, ask me anything.’

Then we left the hospital, and after talking to my father-in-law, he’s a real jack of all trades, I decided it was best to head straight to Bob Jane T-Marts to replace the wheel. I let my fingers do the walking, called them up, explained the situation, and told them I’d be on my way. As soon as I arrived, exactly 10 minutes later, this lovely guy Mark was waiting for me. He took my car straight in and told me to wait in the office. When I asked how long it would take, he responded, “I’m a dad of four and you’re a mum, I’m doing yours straight away, it’ll be done in no time.” And in no time it was done – thankfully because Meir was quite exhausted, and cranky although everyone could not stop complimenting him on his piercing blue eyes, Mark told me they reminded him of his daughter Grace’s. As mentioned, it is not a flat tire yet, although very close to it and needs to be replaced ASAP. What he did was swap the two dodgy front wheels to the back, making it safe enough for me to drive. When I asked him how much I owed, he instantly replied, “Don’t worry about it, you’re a mum, your bub is crying, it’s all good.” I tried to insist, but he wouldn’t budge. I was genuinely touched by his kindness. He could have easily charged me a service fee, after all, he had moved the tires around, but instead, he saw that Meir was tired and crying, and that we just needed to get home. And in that moment, he chose kindness.

I drove home and, thankfully, found a parking spot on my busy Bondi street. If you know Bondi, you know, once you’ve got a spot near your house, you never want to give it up. It was the usual tight squeeze, but I managed. I then started gathering my million-and-one belongings and took Meir out. As we were walking, he was crying, and I suddenly heard a little bump. A woman behind me, walking her dog, called out, ‘Hey, that lady just bumped your car.” I looked at the lady who seemed frantic and ready to rush off. She rolled down her window, and I gently said, “I think you may have slightly bumped my car, but don’t worry about it, are you okay?” (My car is already quite bashed up and she only slightly bumped it or more like kissed it and my car seemed more than fine). I was more worried about this lady than my car. The lady burst into tears. I asked her if there was anything that I could do, and she said no. She was sobbing, I could see she was having a bad day. I asked her again if there was anything I could do, to which she asked me if I was Jewish. “Of course,” I responded. “So am I,” she said. I wished her a Shana Tova and a Shabbat Shalom, and off she went in a flurry. I felt bad for her, she must’ve really had a bad day and the last thing she needs is to swap insurances and deal with a “kiss,” of another car. (This happened to my step dad and trust me I know what a pain in the brain it has been for him). I was more than delighted and happy to pay it forward, after all it was the least that I could do.

So often in life, our days just whiz by without us even noticing. The everyday kindness of people, the random yet meaningful conversations with strangers, the beauty of Hashem’s world. I guess this article was worthy of writing because it reminded me yet again to slow down, be open and aware of my surroundings, and pay it forward. And that was only the morning – don’t even get me started on the afternoon.