Pay It Forward With a Chocolate Milkshake

I knew I had you at chocolate milkshake. Who can resist a chocolate milkshake? Well, OK, some can.

Have you heard of the 'Pay it Forward' concept? There's a movie about it, starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment. It's one of those tear jerkers where (spoiler alert) the originator of the 'pay it forward' in the movie, dies.

Many have taken advantage of this good deed, and I'm sure it has put a smile on the face of many people. I have never been involved in this good deed. That is until last weekend.

While out doing errands, for some reason that I can't describe, my brain alerted me to the fact that I needed a chocolate milkshake. Now let me just mention, I am very picky when it comes to milkshakes.

First, only chocolate will do, and the more chocolate syrup, the better. Secondly, it needs to be thick. So thick that it is a challenge to get through a straw, but not impossible. Many places that serve milkshakes fail to measure up to my standards.

There are a select few, and one of those places is Sonic. So since, I was in the vicinity, I stopped in for a mix of tots and chocolate milkshake. A perfect combination.

I went to the drive-thru, ordered and proceeded to the drive-up window to pay and get my goodies. The attendant opened the window and began with "So, here's the deal..."

The explanation was a bit of a blur, but basically the person in front of me paid for my food, and the people in front that person, paid for their food. Not sure what started this string of paying it forward. Mentally, I was caught off guard, but the good side of my brain said to keep it going.

My bill came to under seven dollars, so I gave the attendant eight dollars and said to pay for the food for the vehicle behind me. She replied that their bill was 14 dollars and change. Oops. Oh well. I pulled out the wallet and paid for the remainder.

As I left, enjoying those warm, crispy tots and thick chocolate milkshake, I felt good about myself for paying it forward. I wondered how far it would go. Guess I'll never know, but it was good while it lasted.