Can I have your leftovers?
Once I was with my parents at a restaurant when a woman approached our table. She didn’t look like a beggar, although she looked quite modest.
When she got to our table she asked if she could have our leftovers.
We were just about to start eating.
My father stood up and holding a chair asked her to join us.
While we were eating my parents talked with that woman, trying to learn about her.
Making a long story short my parents managed to get her a job.
After that day, every Christmas that woman would take a gift to my parents house.
Some years later, when I was in high school I asked my father: "Why do you take the gifts she brings you? Why don’t you tell her not to bring you anything?"
My father said: “She is thankful, I can’t and won’t be so rude as not to accept her gratitude as an equal. That would be taking away her dignity”.
When she got to our table she asked if she could have our leftovers.
We were just about to start eating.
My father stood up and holding a chair asked her to join us.
While we were eating my parents talked with that woman, trying to learn about her.
Making a long story short my parents managed to get her a job.
After that day, every Christmas that woman would take a gift to my parents house.
Some years later, when I was in high school I asked my father: "Why do you take the gifts she brings you? Why don’t you tell her not to bring you anything?"
My father said: “She is thankful, I can’t and won’t be so rude as not to accept her gratitude as an equal. That would be taking away her dignity”.
posted by DCveR at 6:46 AM
18 Comments:
your father is a wise man; everyone needs to feel validated. it's a wonderful thing, what they did for her, and nice to hear about someone who actually appreciates a favor.
cadiz: Dad is a good man. Going a bit senile now, but still a good man.
isis: Sad to say he is a bit past the age to adopt and take care of anyone. In fact he is the one needing someone to help him get by.
That's a wonderful tale, DC!
Your dad did the right thing by inviting the woman to dine with you.
And what is even more satisfying is that she turned out to be an honourable woman, not just your usual "professional" beggar we all seem to encounter on a regular basis lately!
Ahhh, a story like this reminds me of my dad. He had that type of character too. And it also explains why you have turned out to be such a gentleman, Dc. (well most of the time, anyway!) :)
cream: With time we got to know alot more about her, not that I want to post it here. Let us just say a series of unfortunate events can happen to anybody.
kris: Most of the time? LOL That is already more than most people would grant me. Thank you so much!!! :)
isis: That is not an easy part to play, being as good a Man as he is.
In fact I don't really think I can do it.
what a great famliy. i hope i remember to be like your father when faced with a similar situation
"A fruta nunca cai longe da árvore" (the fruit never falls far away from the tree)... I suppose you'll always keep your share of good will, even if you think you're not as strong as your Dad.
BB
piu piu: Just one of the things I had luck with...
ariadne: We are different in many ways, dad and I. Sometimes I think I will never sacrifice some things whereas he probably would.
penny: Sorry for the puffy eyes thingy. :)
tacit: And with such nice parents I turned out this nasty... amazing! ;)
Your dad is a good man, a truly good man.
This reminds me of the man who used to give a sheep every year to the surgeon who helped him.
Every single year. One sheep. In the bus. To the surgeon's home.
... just take your time :)
BB
Now THAT's a consumer item worth spending one's money on. What a good, generous man your father was that day.
I've tagged you for 5 consumer items worth spending money on. What say you?
what a lovely story. i may have missed it--where are you going for holiday?
Got this really warm nice feeling inside:)
I'm trying to be that kind of Dad. I hope my children, like you, remember the good things I've done and forgive me for the times I was tired or cranky or watching something really important on TV.
GG: He is.The most generous person I've ever known. And fair too.
aunty marianne: I say: I hate tags. This said, I still will give you an answer. Anything you really need (food, like fruit, veggies, meat, fish, milk), clothes to the point you feel comfy (not hundreds of different toilets), books, toys for the kids (even if they are not your kids, kids love and NEED toys), plus anything that can really make a difference in one’s own happiness as long as the person can afford it (plane tickets, camera, etc…).
vespa: I joining GH in Oregon.
isa, isae: Thinking about him also helps keeping me ‘warm’ inside.
Chill daddy: You know what? He used to play a lot with me when I was a kid too. And answer my questions and generally be there for me. But he wasn’t always there. Nobody can be. Also he is not perfect either. And still I always thought I have the best Dad.
That was wonderful. What a kick ass world we would live in if this type of kindness and respect occurred constantly for everyone.
misty: Maybe if we all chip in a little bit we can start changing it for the better.
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