Monday, February 4, 2013

Humbled by Those Who Have Less but Give More

begging hands

Here in Mexico, it’s not hard to have more than your neighbour, or anyone else for that matter.There is a great divide of wealth amongst the classes.

We are considered upper class (except by the upper class) because we are “American”.

Our neighbour Teresa the one that lets me climb onto her roof is amongst the upper lower class. She owns a home (gifted to her by her mother), has a part-time job in a Laundromat (her boss actually pays her) and her oldest of two sons works and helps her out. She is a very good and honest person, loves the kids dearly and is an invaluable wealth of knowledge (especially because we’re foreigners and can easily get “taken”). We are fortunate to have her in our lives.

When she invited us over for Ulises 23rd birthday, we were honoured. It would be our first time dining at her place (we have her family over every year and her 8-year old son Alexander comes over almost daily to play with the kids and learn English). We know that she doesn’t have much but you wouldn’t know from her actions.

When we arrived, we saw that she’d ordered out. She went to the local “Rosti Pollo” joint and spent about $155 on a meal, plus $200 on a cake. It had been many years since anyone had a cake for their birthday. It might have had to do with the fact that I sold $140 worth of stuff for her at our Bazar this week. She had tears in her eyes when she put it in front of him.

After everyone had cleared their plates, there was a knock at the door.

A person begging for food. Apparently this is a regular occurrence for them.

The birthday boy didn’t hesitate. He jumped up, got a takeout container, filled it up with the leftovers, including his own pop and the last piece of cake.

It didn’t amount to much, but it was all he had.

And, he gave it away.

Have you Experienced Similar Feats of Generosity?

Note that we regularly give out food to people and dogs, however, we are fortunate to have the financial means to do so. My neighbours do not, yet they do…

You might also like:

How you Can Help Raise Money for our Humane Society in Mexico The Plan: Conquering Dog Overpopulation in Mexico The Issue: Tzi’te Humane Society in Mexico

22 thoughts on “Humbled by Those Who Have Less but Give More”

  1. Rene Beaubien

    These are your next door neighbours – do you not get the folks begging for food, or do they intentionally avoid the foreigners? I’d be curious to know.
    Thanks for sharing – it’s a great reminder that we all have something to give, no matter how small.

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  3. fredamans

    I may not have people knocking on my door, but I have a good friend on disability. I try to take him food a couple times a week. He is a senior and cannot get around like he used to, plus when I was down and out in my worst moments, he saved me. I had no where to go, no food for my own belly once, and he gave me a couch to crash on, and whatever food he could spare. After getting myself back on track, all these years later, (13 yrs), I still feel the need to thank him on a regular.
    Be glad you have Teresa. Everyone needs someone, and sounds like she is your someone while there.

    (((HUGS)))

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  5. Emy Cooks

    Thanks for sharing and it is good to share these beautiful moments in your life.. God Bless you and your lovely neighbor, great to be reminded of what we take for granted..Love

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  10. Jayme Hennessy

    I have led my life by putting others first. Always striving to treat others how I would want to be treated. I am so glad that my children are following suit. If more people would stop being so selfish and start being more benevolent,we may see some amazing things start to happen in this world. Thank you for the blog. I enjoyed reading it.

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  13. Victoria Ess

    That’s so so so sweet. I can’t think of any acts that I’ve experienced, but I think I’m going to think about how I can give that experience to others. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Debbie S.

    Wow! THat says so much about your neighbour and her family! Incredible gesture!
    I have seen so much charity in town the last couple of months for a girl that needs to go out of country for a surgery. I am so amazed and proud of our community!

    Reply ↓
  18. nikki robak

    my mom lived in Belize and it too is a very poor country where they try to help each other out not too much the gringo’s though

    Reply ↓

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