Years ago, my wife and I were driving home late one night when our car suddenly broke down in the middle of nowhere.
It was before cell phones existed, and we had no way to call for help. Just as worry began to set in, a college student pulled over and kindly offered us a ride into town.
When we tried to pay him for his trouble, he just smiled and said, “Just pass it on.” His words and kindness touched us deeply, though, with time, the memory gradually faded into the back of our minds.
Many years later, that forgotten moment came flooding back. My wife called me at work and told me to turn on the news. There, on the screen, was the same young man who had once helped us but now, he was a doctor. His story wasn’t being told for his accomplishments, but because he had lost his life while saving others.
Seeing his familiar face again brought tears to my eyes.
I finally understood the true meaning of his simple words. “Pass it on” wasn’t about repaying a favor—it was about keeping the spirit of kindness alive. His compassion continued to ripple through the lives he touched, even beyond his own.
Since that day, I’ve tried to live by his example. Whenever I see someone in need—whether it’s a stranded driver or a stranger who could use a helping hand—I think of him. Not out of debt, but out of shared humanity. Because kindness, I’ve learned, is something we pass from one heart to another.
