[Part 20] Celebrity Gifting - Open Everything

Through John's contact, Peter, I learned about the musically talented Trachtenburg family.

{About The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players}

I was told about them feeding strays and doing many other helpful projects that truly reflect the spirit of giving. John gifted them and they in turn gifted The Little Bag That Could with their inspirational talent!

Not only did they offer their talent, but it was a gift of a song that spoke deep to the heart of this project. Peter gave the gift of his talent to put their song to a special video. Thank you Peter!!!

Open Everything...your hearts, your spirit, your lives to giving and receiving. It brings smiles, joy, warmth, and even healing! Thank you so very warmly for your gift, Trachtenburg family! :)

Now I present....The Trachtenburgs:

The Trachtenburgs

[PART 19] Stephen Is Right On Target

I think today's story was just very heart warming and just expounds on how this trend is a good and wholesome thing for all involved. From John:

"Stephen just repaired our dishwasher and is now the proud recipient of a 50 dollar Target card (in addition to his pay, of course)."

"Stephen is a big hearted guy anyway, and doesn't need to learn anything about the beauty of giving from us.  He said,"I'm going to take my little sister to Target and we'll pick out her birthday present together".  Thank you for being you, Stephen."

Part 20 - Open Everything - Trachtenburg Family Donates Talent!

[PART 18] Fun at Flanigans!

I'm in a good mood today, but this just really made me smile. Every time I do these posts I'm smiling because the idea just tickles me to my toes. I know....I think alot of people don't "get it"....but I do. I get it and I enjoy doing it. Anyway, on with the story which is really cool, and another one of John's gift givings!

"Had ANOTHER teary, pay-it-forward gifting at lunch!  awesome.  story and pics in MY grubby little hand/mind.  So... I went alone to one of my favorite lunch and watering holes today.  Flanigan's.  Good food, regular folks. Lots of working people (those are always the best places, anyway).  Sat at the bar and ordered a Flanigan's burger, veggies, and a chardonnay from Frankie, the bartender. The bar was packed, as was the rest of the place.  I had brought my mini-bag of gift cards and was thinking about how--or if --to use it on this occasion.  Frankie seemed like an extremely good bartender, and was really extra friendly, even though he didn't know me from Adam.  So I knew he'd be getting something today, at lunch's end. 

Just then. across the restaurant, I saw Shirley, someone I've known by face there for several years.  She's a special one.  Really an indispensable part of their wait staff, both in performance and in spirit.  My light bulb went on (duhhh!), and so since my burger wasn't there, I made a bee-line to her with my bag (concealed in a cheap plastic milk-carton kind of bag).  The place was hopping and I caught up with her at the kitchen door.   She was on the "line", scooping up plates of food for delivery to her tables when she saw me.  I gave her the finger, or perhaps "motioned to her" is a better phrase, and she came over.  I said, "Ok Shirley, Panera bread, Target, Starbuck's, Cheescake Factory, Chipotle?  Any of those do anything for you?"  She played along with my game, busy as she was.  "Cheesecake Factory", she said.  i reached into my bag then.  "Terrific, I'm taking part in a project and it's all about the acts of giving and receiving, and today, you get to be the receiver".  gave her the 5 ten dollar CF cards and her look went from quizzical to really, really touched and happily surprised in like three seconds.  She thanked me very much and we parted ways. 

 Back to the bar to wait for my burger.

2 Minutes later she was by my side, talking about paying it forward, and we were exchanging giving ideas rapid-fire. She TOTALLY connected to the idea of the gift, and related that she had received an unsolicited, lovely gift from a neighbor who was less fortunate than she--because Shirley had been helping the elderly neighbor with domestic chores, dishes, etc.  And this was but one story, but a perfect example of how kindness leads to kindness, and brings us all together.  It's infectious, and Shirley is as sick as they come that way! Bless you, Shirley.  You made my lunch.

But let us not forget our good man, Frankie!  Really good guy, remembered my name, couldn't have worked harder at that big, crowded bar.  I was worried that I wouldn't have the opportunity to do anything other than leave my money on the bar.  I did do that, and left him 40 on a 26 tab.  But I was able to get his attention for a sec. "Hey Frankie? Starbuck's, Chipotle, target, PF Chang's? Top of your head, which would you pick?"  He's not coming up with anything.  I furtively looked down into my bag and pulled out the Big Gun.  "Outback??"  He thought and said, " maybeTarget" Into his hand I placed a 50 target card and told him quickly about my project about the joy of giving and receiving.  He had certainly given a lot of himself to me.  Frankie allowed me to snap his picture with his card, and I was on my way out the door.

This is a really nice project, people.  I feel very good about it.  Talk to ya later.

Part 19 - Stephen is Right On Target

[PART 16] CONTINUED....Giving Is A Personal Choice

....so this young girl who had been neglected, abused and starved for years had just come to me and asked me for help...and for some....they'd say no. It's too complicated, too dramatic, too...involved. She was about to turn eighteen and thought she might have a place to go. Could I help her get away? Yes. Yes I could. I didn't have to think about it. It was the RIGHT thing to do. She was going to wait until her birthday in another eight days to leave. I was now scared for her, knowing the harrowing details that I did.

When I spoke with my mother about it, she hedged...thought it was the wrong thing to do, to get involved, and asked if the girl was being truthful? Well, I had no doubt...I didn't question it. And I won't!

Well...as things transpired, she secretly texted me that the people she'd planned to live with were having marital problems and could she stay with me for a while after I moved? Of course she can. And yes, it's giving and yes it's hard to open our home to a stranger.

Days passed by all too slow. On her eighteenth birthday, her caregivers...imprisoned her for five days. She was too afraid to leave, even with the police when I called them out there. I had to accelerate my move over safety reasons as the captors suspect I called the police on them and made some threatening comments.

But we've found a way to get her away without a confrontation. So I will have a new houseguest who will be given a chance at a decent life for the first time in eighteen years. I am giving her....the gift of freedom.

Part 17 - Waterside Serendipity

[PART 17] Waterside Serendipity

From John:

"Just got back.  Really nice serendipity.  Only thing I didn't do was get an email address or give them mine.  they would have probably shared on the blog or emailed, as did Susanne.  I'm still learning how to do this!

I went to Le Tub (  http://www.theletub.com/ ) with the usual suspects--my dad, neighbor/buddy genie, and her daughter, Trina.  We arrived before opening time, but still the lot was half full and people already were plunked down at their water-side tables on the Intra-Coastal Canal, and had snatched up all but one table.  A 3 seater (2 people bench on one side, short bench on the other side).  Oh well, I thought, we'll make it work.  The waitress saw me on a 3 top and asked, "how many?" and I said "Four". She said okay and left, because they still weren't open or serving.   After about 30 seconds, a couple in a great table ahead of me along the railing by the water said, "Would you like us to move?"  We heard you have 4 and we're only 2".  I thanked them profusely for that unsolicited, very thoughtful gesture, and we switched tables.  I now had a primo table, thanks to the good hearts of this couple.

Well, my gang arrived, and we ordered drinks, and by that time I knew it was time to look into my magic bag and pass on the good energy (or at least try!  It doesn't always work out the way you hope it will).  I saw some of the cards I had in the bag, and I turned around and said, "Excuse me?  If you had to choose, would it be Chipotle, Starbucks, Panera bread?"  Stares.  I snuck a look back into may bag, and they still had no idea what this was about. "Uhhh, how about...PJChang's??" Their response was immediate.  "Oh we LOVE PF Chang's!" so out came the beautiful little bag with a PF Chang's gift card in it, and I said, "here you are.  I want you to have this and enjoy it".  The man graciously was shaking his head,"No, we can't take that", but I explained that I had been given an overwhelming gift of these many cards and that I wanted to-- "Pay it forward!", she finished my sentence.  They were truly touched, and it was another great moment for all of us (except for maybe my Dad, who might have been saying, "Idiot"under his breath.  Maybe he ws just clearing his throat).

Long story short, it was another good gifting! 

PF Changs for the seat giving couple!

After our meal, come check time, our waitress, Karen received a big tip, which I left with the check money on the table.  She was so busy that on the way out, I had to find her and quickly surprise her with, "Karen, quick, Starbuck's, Panera bread, PJ Chang's, Chipotle, Bed bath and Beyond--" Ding ding. "Bed bath and Beyond" she said.  Pop goes the card into her hand, smiles and happiness from Karen.

Karen, who is going to buy some COOL stuff from Bed Bath & Beyond!

  And another score for the Little Bag that Could.  It has given so much to so many now.  Not least of all, me.

Pics are attached, Po-girl." (and for those who don't know why he called me that, it's because I called myself that today. I'm moving and I'm broke, LOL. All is well though! Love LOVE the new place....which...btw...will have something to do with the PART 16 story....so stay tuned!

Part 18 - Fun at Flanigans

[Part 16] Giving is a Deeply Personal Choice

Giving has so many forms. Money, time, things and so on. Sometimes giving is asked of us, sometimes it is voluntary, sometimes it is begrudgingly. But giving is a deeply personal choice.

During the last big snow, we got alot of inches, like...ten. I live out in the sticks so I was mired in for a few days with my kiddo. We were just hanging out when we saw a dark bundled figure slogging through the white expanse across the yard toward us.

The teenager from next door made her way up the steps, wielding a bag of my sons things he'd had over at her house a few days prior. I don't remember exactly how the conversation progressed but she spent a few hours there and revealed something shocking...so horrible to me. I felt my heart race and my blood surge with rage. For me to hear of the atrocities of child abuse and a plea for my help brought out every protective instinct I have.

TO BE CONTINUED.....
Part 16 - Continued

[PART 15] Dessert Couldn't Be Sweeter

I was, in a land far, far away in a time far, far gone....a waitress. It pays little and one must rely on hard work, attentiveness, and a small measure of charm to earn tips. For most of those nameless faces that serve us when we eat or drink...it can be a very thankless position. So when some kindness comes our way, there is a deep appreciation felt. I saw that with the first waitress story, and then here too:

So I went into Southport Raw bar in Fort Lauderdale to have lunch with my pop, my neighbor, Genie, and her daughter, Trina.  Gorgeous day.  We sat outside, on the 15th Street canal, watching the boats and the birds (from seagulls and egrets and pelicans, to sweet little teeny birds who would land on the edge of our table, waiting for a morsel) from our shady spot.  I had given Genie a Starbuck's card and a Panera Bread card, so we took her picture for that. Now it was Trina's turn.  She chose Chipotle, and I snapped her pic with her new Chipotle card.  Nice.

Then our waitress, Susanne, came by and took our drink orders.  I asked her "Susanne, what's your favorite?  Starbuck's, Panera Bread, Chipotle, Cheesecake factory--" She stopped me right there. "Cheesecake Factory by far", she said.  So I pulled out five 10 dollar CF gift cards and said something like," Here are five 10 dollar gift cards to Cheesecake Factory that I give to you as part of a project that I'm involved with that is celebrating the joy of giving and receiving".  Well bust my buttons, it was like 3 cherries on a slot machine for her.  I had gifted the perfect person.  "This is so wonderful, I know just what to do with these!  I'm not gonna spend them.  I'm gonna give these away as prizes for people to get involved with my fund-raising for the American Stroke Association. I'm running a marathon on June 26th in Hawaii and I'm trying to raise money.  So thank you for these!"  Well, this was my perfect giftee!  Someone who was already in the process of paying forward and giving of herself.  Soo... out popped another gift card for Susanne.  50 dollars for Bed, Bath,and Beyond.  She was so happily surprised by this.  Her enthusiasm was bubbling over and infectious and baby, you could feel the love at our table.   Anyway, during the course of the meal, she came back and said, "You know, I wasn't supposed to be in this section today, but I begged to switch with another waitress, and luckily she let me have her section". 

It really is true. There are no coincidents.  At lunch's end, Susanne brought us a piece of Key Lime pie--on her-- as a gift to us (see pic below to see what it looked like AFTER we enjoyed it!).  Well, tis blessed to receive as well as give, so we were honored to share the pie 4 ways, in celebration (note: we were so into it, we forgot to take a pic of the pie, but here is what it looked like AFTER).

We were all in the right place at the right time today.  Susanne is a wonderful person who is already doing plenty of giving on her own.  For a tax deductible donation to help support Susanne in the fight against strokes, please visit her website at http://ttes.kona2011.kintera.org/hynds   and consider giving.

Such a nice moment.   Wish everybody could have been there.

---Wish I could have been too! This was an awesome feel-good story! :D

Here are the photos of the ladies with their goodies!!!

Susanne with Cheesecake Factory and Bed Bath & Beyond!

Genie with Panera Bread & Starbucks!

Trina with Chipotle!

Plate that once harbored a big slide of KeyLime Pie! Thanks Susanne!

Part 16 - Giving is a Deeply Personal Choice