Helping at the Circus

This weekend I was at the circus with my children.  While I was watching the entertainment I noticed one of the acrobats (a member of a large family troop from Romania who had performed earlier) was also selling snow cones in the stands.  I guess this was one of the things needed by the circus troop to bring in additional income. 

I went up to the young performer (my daughter had asked for a snow cone) and struck up a conversation.  I learned a bit about the young man’s travels, the cities he had seen, and what his family had incrementally endured to gain entry to the United States and perform here (particularly difficult since 9/11).  It became clear to me that he and his family were living a very humble and meager existence with the circus.  He was probably in his early 20s.  I paid for the snow cone, but I also gave him $30 and told him the money was for him and his family.  Then I told him about Pay It Forward and how I was trying to help at least three people in some way that they might need.  Then I asked that he remember this day, and when he believes he can, consider doing the same thing (helping someone else in some way he sees the need) that I am doing-helping others who don’t expect it. 

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