Generosity

One thing about living internationally (especially with little ones) is that we are often at the mercy of strangers or in need of something not easily available at that moment. We just don't totally fit here and are strangers here and often don't fully understand what each situation requires. Consequently, we get to see amazing acts of generosity as people step in to help us out.

Take last night. Someone is coming to visit us and my dear mom is rushing around getting things for this friend to carry over in her suitcases. I didn't want to make mom run all over Wal-Mart looking for tom's pants or Ryan's sippy cups (tried the local brands of both for 5 years and it just isn't worth the money!!).

So I called the store myself and some dear dear lady did the running for me. Literally. She'd get back to the phone a little breathless saying "what else did you need?". So whoever you are...LaVerne, Betty, Hazel...thanks for responding to my need to save my mom from running around your store.

The incident that sticks out most in my mind was this summer on the plane. Tom has a special magic with the kids on the plane and always manages to get them to sleep. So he had done more than his fair share and was taking a nap. I was holding a fussy Ryan who was DESPERATE to walk. He wasn't quite good at it yet so he was lunging everywhere through the aisle and I could tell everyone was about as enthralled with it as I was. So I was up there at the bulkhead looking exasperated (my family knows how pathetic I am at keeping this emotion hidden) and some dear Arab man from about 6 rows back stood up and came to hold Ryan and carry him up and down the aisle. I am still feeling grateful (= and a bit ashamed but we'll focus on the grateful part.

Any mom of young kids who has lived in the middle east will tell you that the best seat mates on airplanes are Arabs and the worst are westerners. Arabs will be understanding, will hold your kids, will feed them food, take them for walks, kiss and hug them. Westerners will literally tsk tsk in disgust and turn away and throw a blanket over their head in an attempt to separate themselves. Yes. I've had both happen.

Generosity.

Tricky thing is that we see it so much because we are in need of it so much. I will say it does get a bit draining to always feel a little out of the loop but the bright side is seeing the good in so many people all over the world.