EDITOR'S NOTE: Lin Ham wrote this Facebook post about his sister, Traci Ham Coffey, on Sunday. Coffey died early Sunday morning after a battle with cancer. The community is rallying around the family by doing acts of kindness for others in order to "pay it forward" and "spread Traci's smile."
What's on my mind? Well, obviously my sister.
Traci was such a beautiful person, both inside and out. I will always remember her smile, no matter the pain she was in. Saturday, I had left the hospital for a few with thoughts running through my head. Oh, how I wanted to make everything better.
While at McDonald's, as I paid for my order, I thought about all the times she had made me smile when I didn't want to. I wondered what it felt like to do this. I looked up and saw the person behind me. I asked the cashier how much their food was and paid for it. No questions, (just) paying it forward.
Yes, it made me feel good to do this for someone that I didn't know. I pulled up and watched as the person tried to pay for their order. The cashier told her that I had paid for it. Understand, I wanted no part of any compensation, credit or anything for this. This lady behind me paid me something that a million dollars couldn't buy.
She gave me a smile, and a thank you. Yes, I've done this before, but with Traci on my mind, the smile just seemed to brighten my day as well as her day. I don't know who you are, but I want to thank you with all my heart for the smile. I'm asking everyone to find a reason to make someone else smile. Traci made me smile, she made others smile, so lets spread the happiness, if only for a moment.
That moment could last a lifetime for someone. Thanks in advance for spreading Traci's smile.
