It is literally every parent’s worst nightmare—the death of a child. While preparing their house for hurricane Sandy to hit back in 2012, Richard Specht’s 22-month-old son, Rees, drowned in the family’s backyard pond.
The family was completely wrecked.
Cultivate Kindness: The ReesSpecht Life Foundation
Enduring the loss of a child is an unfathomable heartache. But the Spechts knew Rees’ legacy was far from over. In honor of his son, Richard decided to celebrate his memory in a way that would help others—through random acts of kindness.
The middle school science teacher and his wife launched what is now known in their community as the “ReesSpecht Life” memorial scholarship. Their mission is to provide scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrate the memorial’s core ideals, which “remind people the importance of Community, Compassion and Respect.”
Cultivate Kindness: The ReesSpecht Life Foundation
Richard set out to encourage others to perform random acts of kindness, and the community responded in a huge way.
An anonymous member of the Spechts’ pay-it-forward movement dined at one of the many restaurants in New York’s Times Square. The bill came to $43.50, but the diner paid $3,043.50 after leaving the waitress a $3,000 tip!
Cultivate Kindness: The ReesSpecht Life Foundation
The extremely generous gift came with three contingencies written on the back of the receipt:
“Thank you for your kindness and humility. My teacher in middle school had such a difficult experience a few years ago, which has sparked me to do this. My only requirements are:
1.) Go to ReesSpechtLife.com and learn!
2.) Don’t let “Pay it forward” end with you.
3.) Since it’s about the idea and not about you, or me, if you decide to share this, don’t use either of our names!
Thank you for being around for all of my shows on and off Broadway. I hope that someday someone gives as much love and happiness into the world as you do.”
Abiding by the “rules” laid out for her, the waitress was able to track Richard down and share with him the random act of kindness that she experienced in memory of his son. Richard was overwhelmed with emotion.