Friday, October 17, 2008

Found Money

Today I would like to introduce you to the concept of found money. What is that, you ask? Found money is money that you were never counting, that appears mysteriously from the universe.

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About ten years ag0 the Farmer and I were helping out a young man who we'd informally adopted into our family. He was 18 years old at the time and struggling to cross over into adulthood. His childhoood left him with few skills to accomplish that and we did the best we could to provide him with some stability. He was incredibly smart and I nagged him for two years and finally got him to enroll in college. We did what we could including helping out occasionally with money for books or food.

He'd enrolled in a math class that required a scientific calculator that was over $100. It was far beyond his tight budget and I was not in a position that month to help him financially. My friends on a gardening forum had been following his story as I shared the general details of his struggle and his progress. Unbeknownst to him there were lots of gardeners cheering him on and wishing him well.

One day I wrote about how sad I felt that he'd be walking into the classroom without the calculator that was required. I simply didn't want him to feel embarassed. A short time later I received a private e-mail from one of the forum participants. She told me that she wanted to introduce me to the concept of found money.

At least a year previous she'd purchased some mail order flower bulbs that never took root. She'd written the company and requested a refund. Communications back and forth didn't seem to produce any results and she'd simply given up. Fast forward a year. She sat at her computer and read the story of the sincere young man who faced the first day of class without the materials he needed to succeed. She had a cup of tea and walked to the mailbox. Inside was a check for $120, the refund from the plant supplier.

"Found money!!!" she said. "Money I was never expecting to ever see and therefore not mine to keep."

She paused for a moment and e-mailed me to say that she had the $117 for the calculator plus $3 for coffee and a donut.

She dropped a check in the mail and it arrived just before his first class.

Her donation came with stipulations though. I could never reveal her identity, either to him or anyone else and he was not allowed to pay it back. Someday when he graduated from college and found himself a good job he should pay it forward. As for me, I was hooked on the concept.

Yesterday you came forth in great numbers to help give a woman a chance at success and for that I'm ever grateful. I'm thankful for my regular readers and the lurkers who uncloaked themselves for this effort.

The donation, energized by your participation will be made possible by the magic of found money. About a month ago I was contacted by a magazine seeking to use some of my barn photos in one of their stories. I have a policy concerning my photos, if someone asks and I approve of the project they are free to use the images without charge. Why? Because photography is my hobby and my great love and if I were to be stuck in negotiating prices and charging it would be work!! Believe me, the photographers at the newspaper never once picked up a camera for the fun of it and I never, ever wanted that to happen to me.

I agreed to let the magazine use my photos and we had some nice e-mail conversations back and forth. A short time later the woman contacted me and said the they were so pleased with the quality of the pictures and the experience working with me that they were going to write me a check.

Found money.

It wasn't mine. Never was. And so yesterday's experiment in giving will be funded with my found money.

Remember this story. Some time in the future money will appear, a large amount or small. You will recognize it for what it is. Pay it forward.

17 comments:

Heidi said...

What a WONDERFUL thing!! I admire those who think in this manner - its a blessing to give isnt it? GREAT POST!!

chocolatechic said...

It is always such a bigger joy to give than to receive.,

Significant Snail said...

I like this concept...I still have two found dollars in my purse from last weekend....

hayseed said...

Excellent concept. Paying it forward also works in non-monetary ways too. Offering help, or kind words, or compliments, understanding, lending an ear, saying thank-you.....

Vee said...

Pay it Forward is a gem of a concept. Found money, eh? Well, I certainly shall be looking for it.

Judy said...

That is a wonderful post...a great concept...and thanks so much for sharing it!

Anonymous said...

What a great story! Paying it forward is always a wonderful thing.

Janet said...

And doesn't it feel wonderful when we are able to do something for someone else? Thanks

Janet

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post! I have tried doing this off and on for years to help out single mothers with heating costs...widows...homeless people.It's a wonderful feeling to know your helping someone out secretly.I hope that if I was ever in that position that someone would help me.Spread the love.

bv said...

dear fw i wonder if you know how much love you send out to the world? i start my day reading you and i always have a laugh, a new idea and my heart lifted. you are a gift. i have always practice "play it forward". we never know who needs a smile, kind word or hug. you give that to me in your post everyday.
bv

life in red shoes said...

Suzanne, you are amazing. I am sending my traffic your way today. Best, Red Shoes

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Suzanne; I am so sorry I missed yesterdays post. If it is not to late I would love to help out. It is a wonderfully and kind undertaking you are doing. I will pray for all those women in the program for their business to grow an Blessed, to pass it forward.

Hugs;
Alaura

Julie H said...

How nice of that woman to send the money for the boy who needed it for school. I belong to a message board that has helped MANY MANY people over the years. It's amazing the way people can pull together for someone in need.

Skogkjerring said...

This brought tears to my eyes to read. Had only the world used this pay it forward concept more often...what a wonderful world it would be! I am sorry I didn't check your blog yesterday I would have loved to write my first comment under such wonderful circumstances!!

Mamahut said...

Can I say it too much? Your awsome! I have been putting my found money in a savings account for my kids since they were born...that's not really paying it forward though. I will have to come up with something better now.

Shan @ Design Gal said...

I love your blog and I loved this story! I promise to pay it forward when I come across some found money. Thank you!

Louise said...

I love this. And my favorite part is the anonymous part. When I "help" someone, I go to great pains to keep it anonymous. It's so much more fun that way.