July 25, 2011

Pay it Forward



This morning my 14 year-old-son who loves to sleep got up early and made breakfast for his 9 year-old-sister.

She had no idea why. It was one of her favorites-egg on toast. He also made bacon. We usually only have bacon for breakfast if it's a holiday or something special. He put the plate, neatly arranged with a folded napkin, silverware and a glass of juice in her bedroom. When she came out of the bathroom a minute later and went back to her room she was pleasantly startled to find it.

Someone knocked on my door.

"Yes?" I said sleepily.

"Mom, you've got to see this," my daughter exclaimed from the hallway.

I yawned. "What is it?"

Disbelief accented her words. "I have to show you."

She walked in, carrying a plate of delicious-looking food and thrust it underneath my gaze. For a second I thought she was bringing me breakfast. Sweet!

"Some one put this in my bedroom."

Her words instantly popped that thought, but it was okay.

"Really?" her dad asked. "It looks great. Who made it?"

"Zach," she said, with puzzlement.

My husband and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows."Zach? why would he make you breakfast?"

"I don't know," she giggled, holding the plate in front of her like a treasure.

"That was really nice of him," her dad said. "Why are you so lucky this morning?"

"I don't know..." her eyes sparkled and a huge grin filled her face. "I even checked the calendar
to see if it's a special day today." She suddenly looked confused. "But, it isn't."

"Guess that means you're the special one today. Go eat it before it gets cold, sweetie."

She nodded and left the bedroom, walking like she owned the world.

Later that morning we gathered together in the living room for scriptures, and family prayer. Afterwards, she turned to her brother. "Why did you make me breakfast today?"

Everyone got quiet.

"Because I love you."

She stared at him, looking as if she might tumble off the couch in disbelief and mine and her dad's mouths practically dropped to the floor. Had we heard him right?

Zach just smiled.


When was the last time you did something nice for someone, unexpectedly?






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