Kindness of Strangers
Nothing quite touches my heart than seeing someone reach out and love someone else they don't know. Nothing, except perhaps when it happens to me.
Ever since we arrived in Germany, wait, rewind. Before we came to Germany I heard how the Germans are a little different than Americans. They are, how did they say it? A little colder, harder to warm up to and harder to make friends with. A German explained to me, "Germans are like nuts, hard to crack, but once you do you're in".
Regardless of this, for some reason, most Germans treat me as if I'm...German! And I have felt, since we arrived, that I am home. To be honest, I have felt more at home here than almost anywhere else in the world.
People often come up to me on the street and start talking to me in German. And I fumble through my broken, unlearned go-to German lines saying I don't speak German, or asking them if they speak English? Most times they don't. But that doesn't stop them! One German lady (who I won't soon forget) came and asked me a question. In my panic I used my emergency go-to lines. And though she didn't speak English, she said something like "try and listen to me in German and you'll figure it out." And by Joe, I did! She wanted to know where the Apotheke was and I was able to give her directions.
I needed that. I needed to feel like I belonged. And since the first day, I have felt those sweet German arms and hearts welcomed us here.
I remember walking across BYU-Idaho once and seeing Elder Bednar pick up a piece of trash as he passed it and naturally throw it away as he passed a garbage can. Yeah, yeah, no big. But it impacted me in a way that often times I find myself doing that same thing. Well friends, I don't know if he learned this habit in Germany, or if he always had it, but that is sooooo German. I don't know about the picking up trash part, but the trash having a place to be and making sure it gets there, yes. It doesn't stop there. Germans LOVE order. In fact I dare say, they love rules. Stalin even joked that the people, no matter how upset they were wouldn't storm a train station without first buying a ticket first ;)
What does this all have to do with kindness? Well like I mentioned, there is a desire to have order. But order isn't just where the trash is sorted. It is harmony with the environment, the tradition of taking care of the elderly, pregnant, and struggling individuals. It's caring.
This is where I feel like the Germans shine. When they do an act of service and love, it's nearly out of that same sense of order. I'm not talking about a proud pomp moment to which they call trumpets to, they are the quiet moments of service. Done because they actually care.
The lady on the right with the multi colored shirt is a perfect example. I took this picture about 2 minutes after she ordered and delivered a meal to a homeless woman on the street of Dresden. I watched her treat this lady, who she didn't know, with the kindness and love that we all wish to have receive in moments of need. It wasn't shaming or belittling. It was out of love.
Next up, this man. The one without a beard.
The picture is fuzzy and I figure if there is a law against taking pictures of people and posting it, that fuzziness will cover to hide his identity instead of showcasing my inability to be stealthy! He sat bent with age and had a hard time walking and standing. But as the bus went along the route an elderly lady who also struggled to walk hobbled onto the bus. Without any hesitation, this man was up and gave her his seat.
Lastly, on the way home yesterday after carrying Jack for about 2 hours I was incredibly tired. This boy has gained 4 lbs while we've been here rounding to a little over 31 lbs.
I got on the bus and it was totally full. I went to go stand in an area designated for strollers and handicapped seating when a man called to me in German to take his seat.
Since coming here I have been the recipient of sweet kindness often given without a second thought or hesitation. From strangers chasing me down to give me a shoe Jack's lost, to random people picking up my stroller, often without a word, carrying it up and down the stairs of the subway system, then walking off like nothing happened. And my favorite, the people everyday who give me a smile and nod, or a complement while I jog by with the stroller.
People say Germans are cold, or hard to get "in" with. I don't think so. Love them, and they will love you back. They are a sweet and loving people. Quick to do what they think is right, not wanting a lot of attention when they do. Sure they are a bit more reserved, but defiantly not after a football game! It's all about time and place...order. I have to say we've been so blessed.
Perhaps the greatest thing they've done for us, is taken us in and loved us as their own. Thank you.
First Impressions
Ever since we arrived in Germany, wait, rewind. Before we came to Germany I heard how the Germans are a little different than Americans. They are, how did they say it? A little colder, harder to warm up to and harder to make friends with. A German explained to me, "Germans are like nuts, hard to crack, but once you do you're in".
Regardless of this, for some reason, most Germans treat me as if I'm...German! And I have felt, since we arrived, that I am home. To be honest, I have felt more at home here than almost anywhere else in the world.
People often come up to me on the street and start talking to me in German. And I fumble through my broken, unlearned go-to German lines saying I don't speak German, or asking them if they speak English? Most times they don't. But that doesn't stop them! One German lady (who I won't soon forget) came and asked me a question. In my panic I used my emergency go-to lines. And though she didn't speak English, she said something like "try and listen to me in German and you'll figure it out." And by Joe, I did! She wanted to know where the Apotheke was and I was able to give her directions.
I needed that. I needed to feel like I belonged. And since the first day, I have felt those sweet German arms and hearts welcomed us here.
Order
I remember walking across BYU-Idaho once and seeing Elder Bednar pick up a piece of trash as he passed it and naturally throw it away as he passed a garbage can. Yeah, yeah, no big. But it impacted me in a way that often times I find myself doing that same thing. Well friends, I don't know if he learned this habit in Germany, or if he always had it, but that is sooooo German. I don't know about the picking up trash part, but the trash having a place to be and making sure it gets there, yes. It doesn't stop there. Germans LOVE order. In fact I dare say, they love rules. Stalin even joked that the people, no matter how upset they were wouldn't storm a train station without first buying a ticket first ;)
Kindness
What does this all have to do with kindness? Well like I mentioned, there is a desire to have order. But order isn't just where the trash is sorted. It is harmony with the environment, the tradition of taking care of the elderly, pregnant, and struggling individuals. It's caring.
This is where I feel like the Germans shine. When they do an act of service and love, it's nearly out of that same sense of order. I'm not talking about a proud pomp moment to which they call trumpets to, they are the quiet moments of service. Done because they actually care.
The lady on the right with the multi colored shirt is a perfect example. I took this picture about 2 minutes after she ordered and delivered a meal to a homeless woman on the street of Dresden. I watched her treat this lady, who she didn't know, with the kindness and love that we all wish to have receive in moments of need. It wasn't shaming or belittling. It was out of love.
Next up, this man. The one without a beard.
The picture is fuzzy and I figure if there is a law against taking pictures of people and posting it, that fuzziness will cover to hide his identity instead of showcasing my inability to be stealthy! He sat bent with age and had a hard time walking and standing. But as the bus went along the route an elderly lady who also struggled to walk hobbled onto the bus. Without any hesitation, this man was up and gave her his seat.
Lastly, on the way home yesterday after carrying Jack for about 2 hours I was incredibly tired. This boy has gained 4 lbs while we've been here rounding to a little over 31 lbs.
Since coming here I have been the recipient of sweet kindness often given without a second thought or hesitation. From strangers chasing me down to give me a shoe Jack's lost, to random people picking up my stroller, often without a word, carrying it up and down the stairs of the subway system, then walking off like nothing happened. And my favorite, the people everyday who give me a smile and nod, or a complement while I jog by with the stroller.
People say Germans are cold, or hard to get "in" with. I don't think so. Love them, and they will love you back. They are a sweet and loving people. Quick to do what they think is right, not wanting a lot of attention when they do. Sure they are a bit more reserved, but defiantly not after a football game! It's all about time and place...order. I have to say we've been so blessed.
Perhaps the greatest thing they've done for us, is taken us in and loved us as their own. Thank you.
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| Our German friends - Made us feel right at home |
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