— — A random act of kindness can have a ripple effect on the human spirit. You don’t have to take my word for it either. Headlines from around the country showed evidence of kindness associated with the spirit of Christmas. With only days left to shop, retail stores in much bigger cities than Bluefield were reporting a twist on the secret Santa — a layaway angel. Anonymous donors were walking into stores and paying off Christmas layaway accounts. Customers were informed their purchases had been paid in full. Many of them were in danger of losing their accounts, unable to pay off the remaining balance. What a good, heart-warming story, I thought, as I hurried out the door. Who doesn’t love a warm and fuzzy story for Christmas?



lll

On the way to work, I wondered if the layaway angels had landed in the two Virginias. I often think of possible stories on the drive and some of my best ideas have been born on Route 460. Later, a quick phone call confirmed my speculation. The ripple effect of kindness had traveled all the way to the local Kmart in Bluefield. As I spoke to the manager, I couldn’t help but feel proud of our local residents. Three individuals had paid off $1,200, closing eight different accounts filled with Christmas items for children. A region known for southern hospitality was giving more than the standard sweet tea and lemonade.

The donors asked to remain anonymous and the manager of Kmart honored their request. I tried to find the layaway customers for an interview, but had no luck. A second phone call resulted in another interesting angle; a man in line paid for a customer’s purchases. The manager said he had never seen anything quite like it during his experience in retail. The story ran in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph on Christmas eve. It was a positive feature about the kindness of strangers, even if there were no names associated with the story. Our area needed a Christmas mystery and a gentle lift of joy.



lll

I forgot about the story over the long holiday weekend. When I arrived back at work on Tuesday, one email put a smile on my face. A customer sent a message, admitting to being a Christmas angel in Bluefield. The person — a local resident in our area — asked to remain anonymous. I am honoring the request. However, I wanted to share a part of the message. The email states, “What made me help, and I think other anonymous helpers too, is the powerful, insistent memory of another poor young couple in trouble two thousand years ago. By the grace of God, they gave the greatest gift the world will ever know. The young man said ‘I’ll pay you back’— I told him to pay it forward, like it has been paid forward for us, forever.”

I am grateful for the email. I didn’t plan to solve the Christmas mystery, but the admission of generosity touched my heart.



lll

Christmas is over and the new year is here. Today is a day to start fresh, make some changes and see the world with a new perspective. However, let us not forget the kind acts of 2011. The momentum of the holidays — the desire to express gratitude and generosity — should not be packed away with the ornaments and mistletoe. We have been given ample reasons to pay it forward in 2012. The traditional resolutions need to take second place in favor of characteristics everyone can embrace, young and old.  I have heard of other accounts of kindness — free drinks and food through the drive thru.  So the idea of paying it forward is not a new concept. It is just that small acts don’t make headlines in a local newspaper. But that doesn’t underscore the ripple effect on society. Even the smallest tokens of generosity should create a desire to return the favor. I didn’t meet any Christmas angels over the holidays; nor was I the recipient of such generosity.

I simply reported the story, eager to give readers a warm and fuzzy way to start off their day. With hope, the story will encourage others to pick up where the angels left off in 2011. Here is to paying it forward — great and small in 2012.  I believe there are angels all around us in the two Virginias. Let’s make it known. 

Jamie Parsell is the Lifestyle editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at jparsell@bdtonline.com.