Wednesday, December 21, 2016

The doorbell rang

It was 5pm and there I was at the 'puter checking the news when the doorbell rings? 
Really? who would want to come by after dark @ 5pm to see me in Firestone?

As I opened the door it brought tears to my eyes, yes really. 
A person that we have known for over 8 years, who has lived (until recently) with his family in a trailer with no running water had a gift under his arm. He and his family are the poorest (financially) people we know personally.
They brought us a gift, how can you come to grips with that? This is one of the most heartwarming, tearful nights I have ever encountered. Ah the Christmas spirit...

He has done various landscaping projects for us over the years, bringing his wife and family with him as he did work on our property. 
He and his family are always welcome in our home. Many times we would take his sons down into Bryce's train room to play. Or Marg would take time holding the newest baby in their family on the rug in our living room with the proud mother at her side. 
Guess that is why it is called a living room...

He is one of the hardest/strongest workers I have ever encountered. 
He is one of the most polite & trustworthy people I have ever known.
His family became our extended family, as every year they would knock on our door for Halloween, or come over monthly to fill water jugs for their home.

On one job he brought his Vaquero father from Mexico to help shovel/create a driveway for us. His father does not speak English, I do not speak Spanish. We got along well, as we could both see and respect honest hard working people. I could see and appreciate the respect a father has for a son. No matter where they come from.
It reminded me of my honeymoon in Germany when an older Hausfrau/housewife that my sister in law knew wanted to see my hands. I graciously turned my palms up and presented my hands to her, she looked at them, ran her fingers over them and smiled and told my sister in law that we were welcome in her home. One of the greatest compliments I have ever received.

Every year we would witness his family grow, from one to five children. From a young daughter translating for her father, into a young woman celebrating her Quinceanera that we were invited to attend. 
What an honor!
As a tradition, most every time he came over to do work for us we would send him home with extras from our cupboard or freezer for his growing family.
Maybe a cerveza or two for him for a job well done.

Tonight he and his family paid us the greatest honor anyone can give, a simple Christmas gift from a family that has so little.
As he presented the gift to me he apologized for the writing on the wrapping, meaning he was not sure of what he should have written. As I lifted the gift to my chest/heart and held it close, I thanked him and said; "Merry Christmas" and he replied "Merry Christmas." Nothing else needed to be said...

I can not wait to tear open the beautiful green wrapping on Christmas morning and admire a gift from the heart. 
The heart of a respected friend.

Merry Christmas

W
P.S. I add this postscript after Christmas. His gift from his family to ours was a special box of Hershey Kisses. Marg was born in Hershey...


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