I was reading some awesome quotes when I came across this one on Pinterest…
My life has been touched many times by ACTIONS from others.
My life has been blessed by people that didn’t just think about doing good things or said kind things,
but actually did good things for me and for others.
I am sharing today a piece of my heart with yours.
Please forgive me if today’s post is a little bit too personal.
Let me tell you something about me that I’m sure you don’t know.
As a young child there were few nights when we went to bed a bit hungry.
I could write an entire book about those years and the many miracles behind them.
Let me make the story short for you saying that sometimes you get to have everything you want
and sometimes you wish to have the little things you need.
I guess for us back then it was time to appreciate the little things we had.
I always say that I am so grateful for the opportunity God gave me to have less for a little while.
I know it sounds crazy!
Even though we had no money the mercies from above were always around us.
We always had shelter, humble clothing, friends and family that loved us,
and we had in our empty cabinets enough faith to go on.
When you have little you get to see more clearly the good in others,
and I think others are more willing to see the best in you.
Back then across the street from us used to live a couple.
It is sad I don’t remember their names but I clearly can see in my mind their sweet faces.
They owned a small tiny grocery store that they had built in what seemed to be the front of their home.
It just had a counter and shelves behind it filled with cans and things like that.
Something like you would see now just in movies or in the smaller towns of my island.
For the longest time the sweet old man that owned the store would call us.
He would tell us that my mom told him to give us a sandwich and a juice and that she will pay him later.
Every time I chose the same sandwich.
We would eat with such pleasure knowing that perhaps that could be the only meal for that day.
As I said this happened quite often as long as we lived there.
Life is full of surprises!
Little by little our life turned around and we moved from that neighborhood into a better area leaving behind the days of hunger.
One day many years later I was talking to my mom in the comfort of her nice home and asked her how she paid for our sandwiches if we had no money.
Surprised by my question she asked me what I was talking about.
In little words I explained to my mama what I just shared with you.
Tears filled my eyes as we both understood that she had never asked this sweet couple to give us anything.
They just did it expecting nothing in return.
They did it moved by the goodness of their hearts.
I believe that we all have angels around us.
Don’t you believe that?
Some of them touch our lives filling our bellies with “sandwiches”,
but some of them change our lives feeding our souls with their
kindness and goodness.
I never saw that couple again.
I am sure that both of them have passed away but their legacy of love and compassion
for me and my brother would live forever.
Their example changed my life.
I firmly believe that all of us have the power to make this world a better one
if we are free of selfishness and we do unto others what the best of mankind can do unto us.
I really believe this world can be as good as
you and I are willing to make it!
Free 8×10 printable HERE.
Thank you for visiting with me today and happy Sunday to all!
Besos!
Desirée
If you are new to my blog I want to welcome you!
I hope you stay in touch and Subscribe to The 36th Avenue via Readers.
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story! I can too assimilate to your story… Keep faith, you a person full of sympathy and love! 🙂
Desiree, this post made me cry. I can honestly say I sympathize with you. Yo se lo que es a veces abrir la heladera y solo ver agua. Se de los milagros cuales hablas. En esos momentos que solo teniamos agua, alguien SIEMPRE aparecia con una bolsa de verduras de su granja, o delicias que habian cocinado, sinceramente como “angeles del cielo.” Mi mama en su angustia nos decia “hay que reirse de las penas, hay problemas peores” y cuando el angel golpeaba la puerta con comida o treats, mi mama me miraba con ese look que decia “ves?” Pero tambien “de quien mucho se da mucho se requiere,” me decia. Ahora que vivo en EEUU y tengo una vida mejor, no me olvido de mis raices y de esos momentos de pobreza que fortalecieron mi fe y me dieron un testimonio ardiente de la compasion y amor de mi Heavenly Father. He never ever forsakes us!
Vivian, al final del dia todos tenemos en comun mas de lo que pensamos. Yo siempre le digo a mis hijos que cuando llega la noche todos lloramos y reimos por las mismas cosas. Gracias mi amor por la visita y por compartir un trocito de tu corazon conmigo. Como decimos en Canarias… Que Dios te bendiga mi niña. Besos!
Oh Desiree, Thank you for the heartfelt story that caused those tears to roll. I truly believe that “simple life” we may be fortunate to experience is a blessing in disguise that teaches us gratitude. Giving thanks for Angels. Have a great week.
Jerri, than you so much for leaving me such a sweet comment… Have a wonderful evening my love 🙂
Desiree – Your reminder to be a woman of action inspires me.
I appreciate you letting us see into your real life world.
Now I admire your good heart behind your beautiful smile.
Sincerely, Deb@LakeGirlPaints
God bless your heart Deb for such a kind comment. Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing your story, the message is beautiful. I too have had encounters with some wonderful and giving folks throughout my life. I wish I could thank them for their kindness and for being an example of the type of person I strive to be.
Lovely story. During my hard times it was always the little things I craved– a good night’s sleep, a quiet place to reflect, a bowl of soup–simple things. It is important to remember these are the things that make life good.
What a wonderful story to start the week. It must be bittersweet to tell. Thank God in Heaven for blessing you with such thoughtful, kind, intuitive neighbors. I know you wish you could give them a BIG hug and thank them…someday you will get the chance!! Just “pay it back” to someone else for now. That’s how I TRY to live. Thanks for sharing with us. You are AWESOME! 🙂
I believe there was a reason I was to read your story today, maybe to live my life better. Thank you! Tracy
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story. It was the perfect thing to read on a Sunday morning. God certainly does care for each of us in his own way.
This is such a sweet story and brought tears to my eyes. I never went to bed hungry but I know how amazing some people can be. The faith you and your family had is incredible and this story really shows how amazing God can be. Thank you for your lovely story.