It all started when I got into a do-gooder mood. I noticed
that on a list of IOU's in the petty cash box at work, one of
the workers who had long since left her job, had also left
behind a small debt. I realized that no one was going to
actively contact people on the list to collect a matter of a
few shekels so this person would be left in the red in her
Heavenly ledger. It was simple enough for me to pay up her
debt and close the `account.' I would either collect the debt
from her if and when I saw her, or not.
Another worker noticed what I had done and asked for an
explanation. I had done it on impulse and really would have
preferred it to remain anonymous, without witnesses. But I
had wanted to do it then and not forget...
It was then that the woman in charge of petty cash mentioned
in a shy way that I could put five shekel in tzedoka,
since I had once borrowed money from her and she wasn't sure
(a diplomatic way of putting it) whether I had paid it back.
So one mitzvah leads to another and my memory was jolted.
I must really write these things down when they happen.
How many other hidden debts did I have?
Next, I called someone who had a Shalach Monos and gift
service for overseas. I asked if they sent presents or flower
for Shavuos, too. Another embarrassed silence. "You never
paid for your Shalach Monos." Thinking back, I admit I didn't
recall having paid. But this time, I would REALLY put a check
in the mail. No forgetting!
It was getting out of hand, especially since the people I
owed money to were too busy or embarrassed to remind me of my
debts. It was, after all, MY responsibility. And what about
the neighbors who had lent us napkins on Shabbos / olive oil
for candlelighting / baking chocolate on Taanis Esther /
potato starch on Pesach? I am afraid the list goes on.
But now that I have unburdened myself in print, I will be too
ashamed to let these debts pile up. I will simply cut out
this article and paste it where I can see it all the time.
And if you're a chronic forgetter like me, you had better do
it, too.
Right away.
[You can post a list of borrowed items on your
refrigerator.]
