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| This is the kind of face he gives you, when you ask him to smile. |
We've been blessed by many strangers since the time we moved to Germany. The market stall-holders who always give Junior J a cookie, or a slice of ham ("fur die Kinder", they say, with a smile). Or a carrot or a flower. There was the old lady whom we walked past during one of our mornings out, who spotted Junior J, and dug into her bag and gave him a mini-box of Smarties.
Then there's the way people smile and say hello. Not everyone on the street though, but a whole lot more than you'd experience back in Singapore. And the man who visited regarding our TV and radio license, and spent a long time patiently trying to explain all the details to me in his limited English... all the while struggling with the language, but so earnest to try to help me to understand. Or our electrician, who remembered that he had to take off his shoes in our house and came armed with plastic shoe covers for his shoes (the Germans don't like to take off their shoes indoors).
Just the other day we walked past a gentleman who was fiddling with his garden. He spotted Jude and said "Hallo!", which made the shy little boy hide behind me. He then cut a rose from his garden, and tried his best to snip off the thorns, but wasn't too successful. So he dug about in his pocket, came up with a piece of tissue and wrapped the rose and handed it to the boy. It made his day.
Through all these encounters, I've realized how much we can help to brighten the lives of others, just through little things like a smile. Or by having a little bit more patience. Small things can make a big difference, and I'm thankful for all these little reminders that God has placed in our lives. And I'm grateful for these angels in disguise.
What are you thankful for this week?
awww... such lovely people! i encounter them too; a cabby gave us a brolly yesterday, after hearing me telling layla to mske a dash for it and use a piece of paper for cover :p
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet of him! It really brightens up your day doesn't it, meeting such people?
DeleteThank YOU for starting up these grateful gatherings! It's such a good reminder to count our blessings =) Germany sounds so lovely!
ReplyDelete:) Thank you for faithfully linking up every week and giving me a reason to keep this going! :) It is a lovely country, it has its drawbacks, but still, its a nice place to live in. :)
Deletehow beautiful. we often complain how there are so many nasty people around and so few nice ones. but really, what are WE doing about it ourselves eh? thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeletefor me, i always share my umbrella if i see someone at the traffic light without one, and waiting for the man to turn green
That's true! Guess changing the world begins with us first! :) And that's nice, to approach others to share your brolly! :)
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