When in the Peace Corps in South Africa, Father Christmas came to Khaya Tshepo, the creche where I was assigned. Each child got ONE TOY and that was probably the only one they received. They were so happy with that one gift. It made me ashamed for the way my grandchildren acted with so many gifts. Rip, tear, what's next.
Yes, it's a small club for sure. When I first came home from the Peace Corps the modern world looked absolutely absurd to me. Zan's right: it's all what you get used to. The experience definitely made me more appreciative.
A thoughtful exchange, Zan and Pa, as always, offering so many perspectives on generosity, so many ways of thinking about what should be a given in life, but unfortunately is not. I'm always surprised by the surprise in those to whom we're generous, reminding me of its inexplicable rarity. To the generous, it's no rarity at all, but a way of life. Imagine light against darkness, to paraphrase Virginia Woolf, slants of light piercing a seemingly impenetrable darkness, expressions of who we can be, of who we should be. Thanks for the exchange. --Bob
I'm also surprised by the surprise of people on the receiving end of generosity. Is the alternative taking generosity for granted? Or is there something in between?
It'd be hard to imagine what the alternative would be to the surprise of generosity. I wouldn't want to take generosity for granted, because then generosity wouldn't be generosity, no longer exceptional as an expression. But yes, the opposite extreme--the rarity of generosity--seems unfortunate, a lessening of possibility. Perhaps just a little more generosity, which seems right to write on Christmas Day. Happy Holidays to you, too, Zanny. --Bob
I just read a beautiful piece in the book “Braiding Sweetgrass”, ( lovingly given to me by my granddaughter), on generosity. Your dialogue has driven it home‼️
This is wonderful. I love the book A Little Princess. And I love the detail of messing up the fireplace and leaving reindeer prints on the cars.
When in the Peace Corps in South Africa, Father Christmas came to Khaya Tshepo, the creche where I was assigned. Each child got ONE TOY and that was probably the only one they received. They were so happy with that one gift. It made me ashamed for the way my grandchildren acted with so many gifts. Rip, tear, what's next.
It's all what you get used to, I guess! What a fascinating experience that must have been for you...
It was. Your father and I may be the only RPCVs from Revere.
PC
You have all my admiration!
Yes, it's a small club for sure. When I first came home from the Peace Corps the modern world looked absolutely absurd to me. Zan's right: it's all what you get used to. The experience definitely made me more appreciative.
A thoughtful exchange, Zan and Pa, as always, offering so many perspectives on generosity, so many ways of thinking about what should be a given in life, but unfortunately is not. I'm always surprised by the surprise in those to whom we're generous, reminding me of its inexplicable rarity. To the generous, it's no rarity at all, but a way of life. Imagine light against darkness, to paraphrase Virginia Woolf, slants of light piercing a seemingly impenetrable darkness, expressions of who we can be, of who we should be. Thanks for the exchange. --Bob
I'm also surprised by the surprise of people on the receiving end of generosity. Is the alternative taking generosity for granted? Or is there something in between?
Happy Holidays, Bob!
Hi Zanny,
It'd be hard to imagine what the alternative would be to the surprise of generosity. I wouldn't want to take generosity for granted, because then generosity wouldn't be generosity, no longer exceptional as an expression. But yes, the opposite extreme--the rarity of generosity--seems unfortunate, a lessening of possibility. Perhaps just a little more generosity, which seems right to write on Christmas Day. Happy Holidays to you, too, Zanny. --Bob
Just a little more would change the world. Just moving the boundaries of our kindness a couple of inches would absolutely change the world.
A wonderful perspective on true sharing and gifting!
Gratefully,
Mike and Cyndy Cotter -Quinc, Ma
Thank you for this ♥️
I just read a beautiful piece in the book “Braiding Sweetgrass”, ( lovingly given to me by my granddaughter), on generosity. Your dialogue has driven it home‼️
If every well fed American would just give a meal's worth of charity a day to hunger causes, there would be no hunger here.
Francesca, All of Dessert with Buddha is about this. I'm really convinced that crazy generosity could cure most of our ills. Thanks for the comment.