I went into the nail salon where I’m a ‘regular’ for a manicure and happened to see one of my children’s former teachers. I’ve known this woman as a teacher and also as an acquaintance. We’ve run into each other socially over the years and we have some friends in common. Last March, she suffered a stroke and when she returned to school this “year” (the 2019-2020 school year), her position had changed. She found herself in an overcrowded school, makeshift classroom, and was told to develop brand new curriculum. It was everything that she could do to just return to “her old job” after all that she’d been through. She is about 10 years older than me and luckily had enough time in the system to be “released” from her job, essentially a forced retirement. Prior to the stroke, she went through a painful divorce a and since the ‘early retirement’, she has struggled financially. Recently, she was offered a part-time position in the school district & decided to treat herself to a manicure. She even mentioned that she felt guilty doing so because she was so broke!
I decided that I wanted to pay for her manicure so I whispered to the person who does my nails that I’d be covering both our tabs. I gave him my credit card and he explained what was going on to the owner. I continued catching up with my friend (she being totally unaware of what I had done). She tried paying and they told her that it had already been taken care of! I cannot tell you how good it made me feel to do this for her. It was a little treat that she was giving herself, to feel pulled together and ready to ‘start back to work’ and I’m glad I could be part of it! She was very emotional and overcome with gratitude.
– ARG Partner
