Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Can $1 bring happiness?

I think it probably can…times 2 !!!

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I went to the Hospice Thrift Store this morning and an older gentleman was checking out but he only had a twenty and his bill was $1. She said she didn’t have change yet to accept a twenty. He went to the car but couldn’t find $1. I overheard the part where she said she would hold his purchases and he could come back later. When he walked out the door, I asked how much he owed and she said $1. So I said I would pay it and went out to his car and handed his bag through the window and told him it was gift. Back inside I started to shop….and here he came again. He kept going on and on with his gratitude and then started talking to the sales clerk. He was buying puzzles. He and his friends work puzzles every day from 3 to 5. Then as he was leaving he started thanking me again. When he was gone, the sales clerk thanked me, too! EEEE! It was only one dollar!

So what did I buy (with the rest of my money)?

This cute little lavender candle holder for 50 cents

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and these tiny crocheted tea cups, 25 cents each.

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Oh….another one dollar’s worth of happiness!

I’m joining Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday and Brenda at the Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday.

Also linking with A Sheltering Tree!

Has $1 ever brought you THIS much JOY?

52 comments:

Vee said...

Usually such things bring me temporary happiness, but the memory of helping someone else out can bring joy of a deeper kind for sure. You always find the sweetest bargains!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Love the lavender candle holder, and the shell display behind it is so cute!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

I bet you made his day and he shared his story about you a ton of times!! Loved those crochet tea cups!!

Stacey said...

That one dollar was worth a million!

Elaine said...

Nice one, Sis! xx

Jane and Chris said...

Not a dollar but a British pound. I visited the UK in 2011, stayed a weeekend with a blog friend.We went to a church craft sale and I bought a knitted English robin for one pound, he sits in the dining room at Christmas...I was thrilled to find an English robin, thrilled it was only a pound, thrilled that money went to charity,and thrilled that it is a reminder of my blog friend!
Jane x

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful finds and story! It does feel good to find a good deal but not as good as it feels to do something nice for someone!

Unknown said...

Its always such a win win when you play it forward. A few months ago I was at a parking meter. A few girls came along an parked next to me. They were trying to get their quarters together for the meter, no luck so I offered my extra quarter to them. They wanted to give me a few dollars to replace what I had given them. All I said was play it forward one day for someone else that needs your help. It was just a few dollars but helping others in any capacity always makes everyone feel good. Stopping by from Tales of the Reborn Crafter.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Lovely story. Kindness always matters. Lovely wee crochet tea cups. Love them. Hugs Judy

Anonymous said...

you are a sweet heart, love the finds of today, the crocheted egg cups are so cute!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

That was probably the best buck you've spent in a long time. And think of how much joy you gave him, probably for the entire day. Nicely done Diane. xo

ImagiMeri said...

Oh many times I've had that kind of joy. I love it when I can do those kinds of kindnesses, it really does make my day. God Bless you and your generosity.

Hugs,
Meri

Musings from Kim K. said...

Nothing like paying it forward! Love it! Continued blessings!!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

It's the little things! Love this... paying it forward indeed. :-)

JG said...

I bet that gent will always treasure those puzzles! His friends will too! :)
~Judy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I bet the gentleman is telling everyone at the Senior Center about his lovely benefactor! (And I bet he plays it forward too.) It's been a long time since I've been able to buy anything for $1. (I'm not a very good shopper.)

Barbara F. said...

Sweet post, Diane. Love those tiny crocheted tea cups! xo

Suburban Girl said...

Oh I agree, I have found a lot of happiness with just $1.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diane,
What a wonderful post. You have such a big heart!! It was a special deed of kindness you displayed to pay the dollar for the man to have his purchase. What goes around comes around, so I know you are truly blessed in return.
Your finds are special too and I love the sweet little crocheted tea cups. How cute filled with a few jelly beans for Easter.

Have a great day.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Noelle the dreamer said...

Inspiring post Diane and how much we forget kindness has its own rewards!
Thank you for sharing and love the crocheted tea cups!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

You are so nice! It's not often a dollar can bring such happiness these days. Love the little crocheted tea cups and candle holder!

maddyrose said...

What a wonderful story. It's often the little things we do that mean the most to someone. I'm sure that whenever the gentleman looks at his puzzle he'll think of you. Enjoy your day. HUgs

PatC - All is Bright said...

I can't really say that $1 has ever bought me a lot of joy. But I do know that if I had done that it would give me a fantastic feeling. This is a great story and one that many of us might one day get the opportunity to do the same.

Sweet hugs,
Pat

Debby said...

It was probably the fact that you offered......more than the money itself. My son whi is mentally challenged was at Walmart checking out with $90 worth of groceries and his food stamps card didn't work. The lady behind him paid for his groceries. I sure hope he thanked her enough. Wish I could thank her or repay her. What a jester......I still can't believe someone would do that. He isn't under nourished as he is a big guy....... So these kind of things do mean alot.

Simply Shelley said...

Very sweet for you to do that Diane...that 1.00,I would say,went a very long way :) Love your finds as well. I love shopping at our Hospice Shop ....blessings dear friend.

sweetbriardreams said...

It may have just been 1.00 but his smile and gratitude is priceless. Isn't it lovely to do a good turn to make someone so happy. Take care. Chel x

Introverted Art said...

You always find the sweetest things at thrift stores!!!!

On a Wing and a Prayer said...

That dollar just also brought me a great big grin!

NanaDiana said...

I'd say the gratitude and love you got for the first dollar you spent was worth more than anything- xo Diana

jody said...

love thrifting and a dollar can by a lot!! so nice of you! enjoy your evening!

cucki said...

Wow so sweet..such happiness :)
Love xxx

Vintage Gal said...

Diane ~ you made that gentleman's day. Not very often do you run into someone who puts themselves out for someone else. I think you are wonderful and I betcha he talks about you for years to come ;-)

Robyn said...

That dollar didn't bring you joy, it was the love in your heart for another human that did.. Isn't it a wonderful feeling?.. I love everything you picked up especially the the candle holder :)
Robyn

Cranberry Morning said...

I can certainly imagine that your gift to him was precious and so much appreciated. Our terrible economy is showing even at GoodWill and the thrift stores in our area - the shelves are nearly bare, especially when it comes to the really useful items like pots and pans and dishes.

Love that darling little lavender candle holder!

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Beautiful -- definitely a dollar well spent! Thanks for sharing your dollar and your sweet story :)

Chenille Cottage said...

Dearest Diane,
You answered your calling today by leaving a sweet fragrance in that dear man's day...not to mention the sales lady.
Fragrant Blessings to you my sweet friend.
Carolynn xoxo

Trace4J said...

Awesome friend.
You sure do know how to let the LIGHT shine.
Woolie hugs and sunshine :)

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

You are a sweetie!
Warmly,
deb

Suzan said...

And goodness will follow you the rest of your life!!

Diane Writes said...

Hooray! I'm so proud of you namemate. If I were in the shoes of the older gentleman, my gratitude will also overflow. Hopefully, the man will pay for kindness forward :)

PS Just a thought, can you host this kind of a linky party where participants are required to do something great for a stranger :)

Unknown said...

Such a sweet story!!! :) Youre just a loving gal! And I love your buys, teh crochet is adorable!

Hugs,

cynthia lee designs said...

Diane...those tiny crocheted tea cups are so cute!! I believe I just heard that a sweet angel got her wings today!! I'm sure you touched this gentleman's heart and made his day.
hugs,
Cindy

Cottage and Broome said...

I love the story and your little purchase are so sweet! Quite and adventure with a dollar. Laura

Danice G said...

Yes just $1.00 can bring happiness. I love the crocheted tea cups. Thrift shopping is always so much fun :)

Ricki Treleaven said...

You are such a sweet soul!

THose little teacups are precious~

Pamela said...

Beautiful sheltering moment! Nothing makes me happier than brightening someone's day. Love the crocheted teacups. It looks like a tea light would fit in them.

joyh82 said...

So sweet of you do for that man. Wonderful treasures you found too. Thanks for visiting me :)

joyh82 said...

So sweet of you do for that man. Wonderful treasures you found too. Thanks for visiting me :)

Icy BC said...

I always find happiness at the Thrift Store..You're such a generous person to spread out happiness to that man..

Beautiful kindness!

Icy BC said...

I always find happiness at the Thrift Store..You're such a generous person to spread out happiness to that man..

Beautiful kindness!

Leave It To Davis said...

Oh, what a kind person you are!!! You saved that man a gallon of gas, at least, and then the trouble of coming back when he got change! No, you can't buy happiness like that....you can just spread joy...and you did...and you do...hugs. I wish you were my neighbor. There should be more people like you in the world....there would be no wars.

Laura Rhodes said...

That was sweet! Someone did that for me one time...It is better to give than to receive, blessings to you, Laura R.