JOIN USWe only have what we give
What can we give to one another? A lot actually. And it does not take a whole lot of sacrifice. It takes ebullience, it takes attentiveness, it takes understanding, it takes a sense of humour and it takes love. If you look closely, all of these things are a manifestation of us being alive to the joy of being alive; by being altruistic we pass on this feeling of joy.
When you leave home to follow your dreams or those of your children, the road ahead is riddled with potholes, feeling of insecurity and a desire for emotional anchoring. And so it was with us when we moved to the USA until we witnessed what can only be called a series of deliberate acts of kindness.
The best place for walking in the area that we lived was adjacent to the backyards of the suburban homes. During the evenings most families would walk along the path enjoying the fresh air and the vibrant atmosphere. We noticed that one of the houses had a small white bucket tied to the backyard fence. Almost every other day the bucket was filled with little gifts and toys for children depending on the season and time of the year. We witnessed; back to school gifts, Halloween items, little thanksgiving gifts, and then Christmas and new year bounties. The items were not expensive but they were useful and always enough for the children who frequented the path. We would see children stop by the little white bucket and pick up a trinket that was sure to make them smile.
It was heartwarming to know that someone went out of their way and schedule to procure little seasonal things that children would use and appreciate. We would often walk right up to the house with the bucket to see what new and exciting item was placed there, and we were never disappointed. The delightful screeches of the little children filled the walkway with glee and the ingenuity and thoughtfulness that went into selecting each little gift filled our hearts with joy.
We never really saw or met the person who kept these largesses for the children but we knew that this anonymous benefactor had a heart of gold. A person who deliberately planted little delights for the children could not help but receive the fruits of his/her kindness. These fruits would not be tangible, but to be the reason someone smiles, to be the reason that someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people is to be touched by the hand of God.
It is these little acts of kindness put together that compels the whole world to come a little closer and makes a suburban walkway in the USA feel like home.