Kindness
We have mentioned many times the kindness and generosity we
have come across on our travels and it was interesting to see a couple of
fellow bloggers discussing this recently. Familyonbikes posted a blog about the
compassion and care she experienced from strangers when she fell ill whilst
travelling alone and links it to 1dad1kid who also talks about this in his blog this week with
a discussion and a long list of instances where strangers went out of their way
to help them and show them kindness, some big some small but all gratefully
received.
We have been humbled by the generosity shown to us in many
acts of kindness, from the blessing and support given to our plans by our
family and friends, Tim the gasman who answered all the boys questions
whilst working on the boat in Topsham, many
experienced skippers who spent hours talking to us about our plans and giving
us advice at various points, old friends in Gosport, especially Steve who took
us under his wing and really looked after us and made us all feel welcome. On
the sea survival course the instructors went out of their way to accommodate
the children within the class. In L’Aber Wrac’h people went out of their way to
find us and discuss our repair work, finding us support, a suitable beach, help
to get there and even sorting out electricity for a while and then popping
round for a chat to make sure everything was OK.
In Gijon the people are amazing, the generosity of the
marina staff is second to none and twice now at big public events we have been
‘adopted’ by strangers who have made sure we knew what was happening, made sure
we could see properly and even lifted the children so they could get the best
view. Sailors help each other as part of a large family, people running down
pontoons to help with ropes, tools are lent between boats and at St Gilles where
a snowballing chain of events left our then 9 year old in charge of mooring lines whilst I stood uselessly on the pontoon, others came to our help,
encouraging him, trying to radio the marina for us and a small crowd eventually
helped catch the ropes and safely bring the boat alongside before clapping our
son, we were very, very grateful to them all.
There have been so many more little acts, patience as we try
to comprehend a foreign language, the offer of lifts to the supermarket, a
sweet or some other titbit, I could go on but I suspect you get the idea. I
have seen other bloggers also discussing this in the past, one family recently
returned from a 7 year circumnavigation believed that one of the biggest things
they had learned was how important acts of kindness are and that they were
determined to introduce as many as possible into their lives towards other
people, a sentiment we completely share.
The children have seen and appreciated these kindnesses too
and hopefully will take that forward into their future lives, passing on the
compassion and generosity to others around them, maybe one of the best life
lessons we could provide. And to all those who have passed through our lives
with kindness, whether briefly or for longer we thank you, we are indebted to
you and you will remain in our hearts.
Comments
Post a Comment