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!

SHARE YOUR STORY

Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoCouple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It

feel good storiesOhio Man Makes Waves With His Fully Functioning Hot Dog Boat

feel good storiesThese Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless

feel good storiesWhy Hope Is The Key To A Meaningful Life, Backed By New Research

feel good storiesJudge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams

feel good storiesHungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand

feel good videoWoman Tries To Help Bird, Then This Happened... And We Can't Stop Laughing

feel good videoSassy Pig Throws Hilarious Tantrum, Slams Door And Gives Mom Silent Treatment

feel good videoConcerned Momma Moose Wanders Into Alaska Firehouse

feel good videoArtist Creates Mesmerizing Optical Illusion Using Just A Marker And A Spinning Wheel

feel good videoUPS Driver Joins Teenagers On Graduation Slip ’N Slide

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