Friday, April 5, 2013

A Love Story

People need love.  We should all agree with that, but how do you express love? 

There are expressions of love that I am so touched by.  People living in poverty welcoming strangers into their home, sharing a meal, or giving of themselves to aid someone.  That touches my heart.  I think, wow.  If I had less, would I be more generous?

A transient couple I met and counseled for months, was staying with relatives in a rough apartment complex.  Before they relocated again, in search of work, they came to my office to say their goodbyes.  After many hugs, the gentleman took out of his pocket a disposable pen.  It was his farewell gift for the help I had given them, and the friendship I'd offered. 

Through the years, I've thought about their generosity.  In the U.S., the gift of a cheap pen for services offered might be laughed at, but to the undocumented immigrant couple, it had precious value. 

It's possible that I was touched by the gift, because I'm an immigrant, too.  Although I did not come to the United States impoverished, I am able to empathize with their struggles.  Or, perhaps It's because I'm a writer and an artist, whose favorite tool is a pen. 

Do you have a love story to tell?


In some impoverished places, something as simple as a pen is a gift well received.

2 comments:

  1. Very sweet, thanks for sharing this! Recently I befriended a woman on facebook because I liked her artwork, and felt the need to let her know. We started up a chat conversation, about our work and a little about our families. Later that day she wrote again, explaining how my reaching out lifted her spirits and how much that was needed on that day in particular. We are still 'friends'. It's been a good reminder to me, to let people know more than just 'like'-ing their post, that a comment can go a long, long way. Maybe even into someone's heart. Thanks again, Brenda.

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    1. Hi Julie thanks for your comment. Opening up to strangers and showing a little heart seems to bless the giver as much as the receiver. It sounds like you were blessed as much as she was by your sharing with her. :)

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