We live in a community where many residents either donate their unwanted goods or create items for worthwhile organizations, and that is a testament to our community.
This story is about one woman who consistently pays it forward anonymously. She is my wife, Catherine Dworkin. Years ago, when we still lived in New York, we always drove by a home for developmentally disabled adults who would often walk the streets in winter without much protection. We stopped in one day and asked how many residents lived in the home, and we were told there were 52. Cathie decided to crochet scarves and beanies for every resident as a Christmas present. It took her many weeks, but when the holiday arrived, we had 52 sets, and we packaged all of them in holiday wrapping, handing them to each resident.
The following year, Cathie decided to crochet wheelchair blankets for the residents of our county hospital. Again, when the holidays came, we delivered three large plastic bags of wheelchair blankets. Why is this of note to the readers of this paper?
For the past years, Cathie has been anonymously giving scarves, shawls, neck warmers, and beanies to randomly selected people. If someone is nice to her at a gas station, they get a crocheted item. She has given handmade items to bank tellers, waitresses, police officers, landscapers, receptionists, and anyone who appears to need a pick-me-up.
We drive around with a minivan full of handmade items, and the smiles we get when she gifts an unsuspecting person are priceless. She asks for nothing and does not even give the recipient her name for a “thank you.” Their appreciation and smile are all she looks for. Hiding under the cloak of anonymity is the satisfaction of knowing she has made someone’s day a little better than it was.
To say I am proud of her is an understatement. She doesn’t do it to consciously pay it forward, but that is exactly what she is doing — and it is something that many of us can do as well. Imagine all the good that the people of On Top of the World would be able to do if we all spread our talents and gave just a little bit of ourselves to perfect strangers. I know that many of us do what we can in our way, but if the reader is not one of those people, think of what you like to do and figure out if there is a way you can use that talent to reach out and make someone’s day a little brighter.
I am so very proud of my wife.
Author: Stan Dworkin
