Floored – by the Flooring Guy

It’s a scientific fact that negativity can affect one’s health. Pent-up emotions can lead to high blood pressure or digestive disorders not to mention zapping one’s mental energy. Chronic stress has been shown to upset the body’s hormone balance and deplete the brain chemicals responsible for feelings of happiness. (Taking Charge of Your Health, University of Minnesota)

The atmosphere is almost literally charged with negativity these days as Nov. 8 draws near. For someone like Mary O’Keefe, my friend and lead writer here at CV Weekly who is recovering from surgery on her arm and on her stomach, getting back to 100% has been slow going. In addition to the surgeries, she has been plagued by laryngitis. Who’s to say that she hasn’t been adversely affected by all the finger pointing and character assassinating?

It is in this shape that she headed to Vons on Tuesday night to get provisions for the Fire House, the youth center on Foothill Boulevard that she runs on Tuesday nights and Thursday mornings. She and her daughter Jessy (who was named Student of the Year by the CV Chamber of Commerce) were at the check-out stand unloading their cart that was full of stuff to carve pumpkins at the Fire House. In addition there was water, soda and other supplies. Another shopper, who was nearby, commented that it looked like she was having a party.

Mary replied that it was all for the Fire House youth center and offered a brief overview of what the night’s plans were. Without batting an eye, the man reached into his pocket and told the cashier that he would be paying for Mary’s purchases.

Mary quickly said that wasn’t necessary (the purchases were going to amount to nearly $120) but the man, who introduced himself as Bob Trotta of Trotta Floor Coverings, wouldn’t hear of it.

“For 50 years, this community has been good to me. I like to give back,” he said to Mary and Jessy. “And it’s important for the youth.”

With few additional words, he paid for his groceries, Mary’s purchases and was off.

Jessy was speechless – a state most who know her are not familiar with.

“What just happened?” she asked Mary.

It was an amazing gesture, an unexpected gift that stunned Mary. Mr. Trotta didn’t ask for anything. He probably doesn’t know it but when he reached into his pocket he pulled out more than dollar bills – he brought out a renewed faith in people that has been sadly lacking.

And now all the kids at the Fire House will know that they are cared for by someone they don’t even know. Perhaps they will find a way to pay that forward when the chance arises.

Perhaps they will even create that chance.

  robin goldsworthy