Stone Soup

Supporting a cause or making donations isn’t something I do because it’s Christmas. I do it whenever I feel it’s the right thing to do. One of those things I’ve done for years now, so long I almost forgot about it when reading this week’s discussion topic. I remember years ago a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she had just supported Kiva by giving out a loan. Something sparked my interest and I went to learn more.

Here is a little something that comes straight from their website: “Kiva is an international non-profit, founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. We celebrate and support people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.“ I can give as little as $25 or more to support somebody. I always choose to support businesswomen who have new ideas or are looking to expand their current enterprise. Currently it is a middle-aged woman purchasing more tables and kitchen utensils and expanding the kitchen of her restaurant in Columbia. I just love the idea of helping a woman take care of her loved ones by creating and expanding her business anywhere in the world.

Sharing love is something that I try to do all year long, yet in the Christmas season I am often more aware of it, choosing consciously to spend time or money on people I know.

For example I got to know a little boy and his mother recently. He has had quite some health challenges for being so young still. I can see it’s taking a toll on him and his family – visibly his mother. I started a conversation with her about how her son is and how she is doing, while her little boy was outside running around the building. I felt for her and just needed to hug her. It was in that moment that the little boy came inside, saw us and tried to push us away from each other. His mother had just shared with me that due to his problems he often feels agitated. So instead of taking offence I just started a little push and tickle game with him. I was surprised how quickly he relaxed and started engaging with me. I told him I was sad to not see him anymore since they were soon to return home from their stay here. He answered I could give him a gift, something to remember me by … the necklace I was wearing that day. I shared with him that I really loved the necklace and had a problem with giving it away, but that I would send him something and I asked for his favourite colors: blue, white and green. Then they soon parted.

At home I wondered what to get him and then I found it: a semiprecious stone in just the right colours. You see, the necklace he was interested in had also held a semiprecious stone and this one is even blue with a little white and green, so it’s perfect! Now I just have to get his address, make a green box to hold the stone and then send it off. Unfortunately I will not be there to see his face. I was really moved by this little boy and feel he is a real hero for carrying this hardship so well, and I can only hope that my little token will touch his heart as he touched mine.

Whether helping someone I don’t know who is far away or someone who is dear to me, giving love makes me feel warm inside and that is simply the best reward.

Written by: Sabine Roggermeier; Gluecklich Im Sein