Kindness and Beauty

   How is neighbor defined? Is it the person next door? Is it the family down the street? A stranger who does a kind deed? Or all of those?


 We were at the farmer market-they have a section of produce where you can fill a bag for $1.00-that's a lot of produce! There was a woman there choosing what she wanted, and after greeting her, told her that she was very pretty. I felt obligated (what today's world has done to us), to quickly clarify that I meant it as a compliment, nothing more. She replies to me, "You tell me I am pretty, that is how I take it. You are being honest, it is from the heart." We struck up a conversation about cooking, and I figured I was finished, so turned to go away. She tells me, "No, no, fill the bag to the top, look at mine. Learn from your neighbor.", and she proceeded to toss me 2 more peppers, some limes and lemons-ones she had chosen for herself. I realized how beautiful this woman was-from the inside. Too often we see people of greed, selfishness and the ugliness of their soul just shows clean through. 
  
  Now, I home school our kids. At least this year we are. I've met some wonderful families near us. Some of those moms have offered me text and materials, until I was able to purchase my own. As most of these moms have been home schooling for many years now.  For anyone who home schools, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say looking at curriculum can be quite overwhelming. The cost alone on some of the programs is daunting enough some times,  (though still cheaper than a private school). It's kind of frustrating when you miss the home school convention and miss out at looking at all the very cool stuff! The kindness of these families is just awesome. How many people hand over a curriculum that may cost a pretty penny, or took some time finding at a decent cost, for you to view? Trust that you will return it, and in the same condition? I have to say, I have never met a network like home school families. Everyone I have met, has been welcoming and I feel very fortunate to both learn from those who have been on the road awhile, and also finding my way with other new families.


  Now, we try to give back. There's some saying about if you give away things in a selfless act, the good deed returns to you. I believe that. Yes, we sell what we can, to help our own finances, but we donate as well. Our boys are learning to be selfless and donate. That, is clutter off my soul.