Friday, Nov 21st marked six years since my husband, Wyndham, left this earth. He was a man of deep kindness, wisdom, and a heart turned toward others. Every year on this day, I honor his life with a “Pay It Forward Day.” It’s simple. I look for people to bless the way he blessed so many.

This year, I wrote out ten cards to give away.
On one side, the card said,
Today you are receiving a kindness in memory of a wonderful man named Wyndham. May this bless your day. A gift from someone who is grateful.

On the other was a blessing for the person:
May you find beauty in creation today. In a sunrise, a breeze, a quiet moment…and know that you are loved by the One who made you. May kindness meet you in an unexpected place, and may it remind you that goodness lives on through the lives of those who practice it. Today I honor the legacy of a man of great kindness. May his spirit of gentleness ripple forward to you, and may it call forth the kindness within you as well. Grace and peace to you on this day.

I tucked some money inside, prayed to meet the right people, and set out.

Some of the blessings that came my way included:

• The mother in the grocery store

She had a young child sitting in the cart.
When she read the card, she began to cry.
She said she was sorry for my loss, and she was so grateful.
In a few moments, two strangers were connected by shared tenderness in the produce section.

• The woman who hugged me tightly

The next woman read the card, also with tears welling up.
Then she wrapped me in a hug.
She asked where I go to church, as she wanted to visit.
It felt like Wyndham was smiling.

• The man with whom I couldn’t communicate through words

A man who didn’t speak English opened the card, paused, then pointed to the sky and whispered,
“Gracias.”
We communicated after all.

• The young man on the basketball court

He was alone, sitting on his basketball. I told him my husband loved to play sports before he got sick.
He read every word of the card slowly.
He thanked me and expressed sincere sorrow for my loss.
His gratitude felt deep, quiet, and real.

• And then, at the end of our time came an unexpected twist.

My daughter had been hoping we’d find someone wearing New England sports gear, since Wyndham was a lifelong fan. No luck all day.

But on the way home, we stopped at Whole Foods for a quick Amazon return. And there, stepping into his very nice car, was a man wearing a Red Sox hat.

I bolted out of our car to reach him before he got into his.

He certainly didn’t look like someone who needed money, but kindness isn’t measured by income, and goodness offered is goodness received. He was both appreciative of the gesture and surprised.

My daughter joined us, and before long, they were talking Red Sox memories, stats, players, all the things her dad would have loved.

The man asked if she had kids. When she mentioned her son’s love of the Red Sox, he paused and said something unexpected:

“Take down my name and number.”
Then he added,
“I’m not just a fan. I work for the Red Sox organization. Come to a game. Call me first.  I’d love to give him an experience of a lifetime. Something he’ll never forget.”

My daughter cried.

This man lived nowhere near that store. He just happened to be there, at the right moment, wearing the one thing she had hoped to see all day.

And in that small, unexpected moment, it felt like Wyndham found a way to give back to us, even as we were giving in his honor.

Later, I kept thinking of two scriptures recorded by Luke:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35), and “Give, and it will be given to you… poured into your lap.” (Lk 6:38)

We set out to bless others. But somehow, in God’s mysterious way, the blessing came full circle.

You really cannot outgive God. Kindness multiplies. Love echoes.
And even on the anniversary of a great loss, heaven opens a small window to remind us that love is never wasted. And those we love are never far.