A CHRISTMAS TALE
G'day guys,
Here is a nice Christmas tale from German, courtesy of Lawrence D. Elliott of the Huffpost.
"When I heard this story out
of Germany, I immediately thought of a quote from Mother Teresa: "Love is a fruit in season at all
times, and within reach of every hand."
There was this woman I knew in Germany. She's a wonderful person with a warm spirit and a passion for a particular fruit. She loves them so much and would buy them whenever in season. She especially enjoyed them after they'd been chilled in the refrigerator. The fruit is known by many names. The horticultural name is pyrus pyrifoli, but most folks simply know them as Nashi Pears.
A native of the Asian region, they're known to be one of the sweetest and juiciest of fruits. In fact, they have to be carefully wrapped because their juiciness tend to make them bruise easily. This exotic fruit combines the succulence of a pear and the crispness of an apple. If you've ever had one, you'd know they can be quite addictive, just as they are to this woman in Germany.
Sadly, this week I learned she's terminally ill with cancer with not much time left. She's confined to her house and on oxygen. But I also learned of what a network of her friends are doing for her and it instantly put a lump in my throat.
Knowing she could not get out and knowing of her health situation, they combined their resources to get her a special gift. Not any expensive jewelry. Not any fancy electronic equipment. No. they decided to get a special delivery of Nashi Pears to her.
It took some doing because they were scattered all over Germany. None of them were anywhere near her. But after making calls to other friends and friends of friends, they found someone 30 km away and he would pick them up and make this special delivery.
So, this weekend, this wonderful woman will get to taste one of her beloved treats. The gift of love, in the shape of Nashi Pears. What I wouldn't give to see the look on her face when they arrive. God bless her heart!
When we give to others, we do it in the hope that they will get the warm feeling that someone cared enough to think of them. I'm sure this will be what this woman in Germany will experience as she opens the door to see what her friends did for her.
But the act of giving should actually be called the act of receiving. That's because this group of caring people will be the recipients of the warmth of the true spirit of Christmas."
There was this woman I knew in Germany. She's a wonderful person with a warm spirit and a passion for a particular fruit. She loves them so much and would buy them whenever in season. She especially enjoyed them after they'd been chilled in the refrigerator. The fruit is known by many names. The horticultural name is pyrus pyrifoli, but most folks simply know them as Nashi Pears.
A native of the Asian region, they're known to be one of the sweetest and juiciest of fruits. In fact, they have to be carefully wrapped because their juiciness tend to make them bruise easily. This exotic fruit combines the succulence of a pear and the crispness of an apple. If you've ever had one, you'd know they can be quite addictive, just as they are to this woman in Germany.
Sadly, this week I learned she's terminally ill with cancer with not much time left. She's confined to her house and on oxygen. But I also learned of what a network of her friends are doing for her and it instantly put a lump in my throat.
Knowing she could not get out and knowing of her health situation, they combined their resources to get her a special gift. Not any expensive jewelry. Not any fancy electronic equipment. No. they decided to get a special delivery of Nashi Pears to her.
It took some doing because they were scattered all over Germany. None of them were anywhere near her. But after making calls to other friends and friends of friends, they found someone 30 km away and he would pick them up and make this special delivery.
So, this weekend, this wonderful woman will get to taste one of her beloved treats. The gift of love, in the shape of Nashi Pears. What I wouldn't give to see the look on her face when they arrive. God bless her heart!
When we give to others, we do it in the hope that they will get the warm feeling that someone cared enough to think of them. I'm sure this will be what this woman in Germany will experience as she opens the door to see what her friends did for her.
But the act of giving should actually be called the act of receiving. That's because this group of caring people will be the recipients of the warmth of the true spirit of Christmas."
Clancy's comment: Thanks, Lawrence. Great to hear some good news for a change. I was starting to think that the world was going backwards.
I'm ...
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