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Editor's note: Anonymous Thank Yous is a website that allows people to submit notes of gratitude to strangers who anonymously gave service. Michael McCarlie, its founder, contributes every other Wednesday. SALT LAKE CITY — B. is a single woman and felt that the world was crashing in on her because of her financial situation. She sent a touching story to anonymousthankyous.com about someone who took action completely in secret. This is what she said:
"I'm single. I've been in and out of the hospital for the last few years, and the medical bills continued to pile up. There never seemed to be any relief. I know a lot of single women who will relate.
"I'm not in the high-income bracket, and I am barely making it as it is. My checking account is proof I'm always in the hole. It seems almost every check I write is related to a bill. Essentially life is a struggle, but I know there are people out there who have it worse.
"A few months ago, it all just hit me when a bill collector called me. I felt like I was drowning. When your debt far exceeds your income, and you're working two jobs and one of those jobs is very physically demanding, you start to lose hope. You eventually get worn down.
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The man in the purple shirt
My daughter's soccer coach pulled her out of the game right after it started and motioned me over. I was wondering what was going on. When I got to my daughter, the coach and another man had her lying on the ground. She was gray in color."The gentleman on the other end of the line was my lifesaver. I had just lost my driver's license and was going to replace it when he called. In other words, it was a bad day. He talked with me and really seemed to care. In fact, he seemed like the only person in my life who cared.
"We talked about my debt, he offered advice, and I felt better for talking to him. When we discussed how much my debt was, he went silent. I could tell he felt my pain. There really was no point in filing bankruptcy. I was stuck. He offered me some more advice and suggested that I pay at least $5 on each bill. I agreed and promised to do so. That ended our conversation.
"A few months went by and I hadn't heard from that company. That is, until yesterday, I received a letter in the mail. 'Someone' sent in a check and paid off the entire total of my debt with that company of $1,500.
"I sat in my car and I just sobbed. To this anonymous person who helped me out, that was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Even as I write this, I have tears of gratitude in my eyes. I don't know who you are. Maybe you are the man with that company I talked to or maybe not.
"Whoever you are, I don't think there is an adequate way for me to express how thankful I am for you. Fifteen hundred dollars is a great deal of money, and I don't know what I did to deserve that kindness from you but thank you. Thank you so much. I pray that God will bless your life, the way you have blessed mine."
Anonymous Thank Yous: Have you ever wanted to say thank you for something a stranger did? Tell us your story at anonymousthankyous.com or follow along at Facebook and Twitter.
