The Precious Gift

By Lettie • April 22, 2020

When I was in my 30's and newly married, I followed my husband to his native Japan. His mother lived in a small town where a son bringing home his American wife was unheard of. Japanese households were (in)famous for their myriad of rules. Not only what slippers were for which room - and in which rooms none were allowed - but also, at mealtime what foods to eat and in which order. But my elderly mother-in-law set me at ease at the very first meal, announcing warmly to everyone that I could do anything I wished because there were no expectations. She said it so cheerfully to everyone present, that they agreed! I never forgot this gift!

A few years later we moved to Los Angeles. In this new city I missed my family on the East Coast so much, and desperately tried to make friends to ease the loneliness. An elderly neighbor who lived in a cottage behind our apartment would often say hello to me, and one day he made a picnic and invited me and my child to join him! He said, "Don't worry, I decided I like you! You can make any mistake...it's OK." I never forgot this gift!

A few yew years later we moved to NYC. It was wonderful to have visits from my family after so many years! We settled down, our child in kindergarten and a new baby just born, when I experienced post-partum depression. It took a few months, very busy and somehow very sad, until a healthly balance returned. During one especially hard day I took the baby for a walk in the stroller to help him sleep - I knew I had a terribly unhappy expression, but couldn't pick myself up. Down the sidewalk came an elderly gentleman who saw me, beamed a bright warm smile, and passed on by. And I never forgot this gift!

This week I called my adult sons who are doing well in the new coronavirus circumstances. As I walked our dog down the street wearing my mask, hoping I did not appear silly, because others I met along the way chose to keep a safe distance but forego the mask...an elderly fellow rode a red bike down the road and sweetly nodded to me saying, "You look lovely dear!" And I will never forget the gift!

PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY SHARE YOUR STORY

Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoThese Cat Reactions To Owners Calling Them Through Security Cameras Are Absolutely Hilarious

feel good storiesKentucky Nurse Saves Drunk Raccoon With CPR After Dumpster Mishap

feel good storiesFirefighters And Public Works Team Crawl Quarter Mile To Rescue Blind And Deaf Dog

feel good storiesShoulder Labrum Tear Symptoms And The Causes Behind Them

feel good storiesThe Mechanical Nurse At Guy’s Hospital Is Equal Parts Creepy And Brilliant

feel good stories'Everyone Gets A Kick Out Of It': Baby Born At McDonald’s Parking Lot Has Perfect Nickname

feel good videoEpic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Flashmob Takes Over the Streets of Paris

feel good videoTexas Cheerleaders Perform Emotional 9/11 Tribute That Brings Crowd To Tears

feel good videoFDNY Honors Bride Whose Father Died On 9/11 With Touching Wedding Surprise

feel good videoHoney Badger Picks Fight With Elephant, Gets Hilariously Booted Away

feel good videoTiny Soccer Rivals Choose Hugs Over Competition

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me