Ear dropping
It started with an early breakfast on Christmas Day 2012.
I was staying at a hotel in Sterling, VA, ready to travel
later that day.
As I sat at the table to consume my food calories,
I overheard an interesting conversation. Two men, one of which
appeared younger (and handsome) was listening with interest to an
older fellow who spoke with agitation on the different types of people,
the giving and the non-giving. The passion in his voice was distinguishable.
Soon after, the old fellow departed and I headed for coffee.
This is where I met the younger fellow, which I realized is tall,
and looking up to his face, no longer resisting my curiosity,
I asked about the overheard conversation. And so I learned that
the agitated fellow was 82 years old, finishing his PhD in Psychology,
traveling from Istanbul to Library of Congress DC for research papers.
Amazing!
As we were discussing the balance in life of giving and receiving,
this fellow announced confidently that he has achieved his balance.
I immediately asked - "How do you know?" and his reply was simple
and convincing. "You see - before I would write a check and give money.
Now I get to do the whole thing, have formed an organization, write bulletins,
communicate with people, collect and distribute money. We help people with
health insurance, with surgeries, and places to stay in US."
Wow!
We continued talking, and I found myself sharing with this "stranger"
things of my life that have deep meaning and importance, like my work,
my life in US my home country... For unknown reason, I felt comfortable.
He shared with me that he started from having nothing, and building-up the
American dream, with work, optimism, persistence. Now he was helping people.
He asked me from what country I was originally; he knew not only the country,
but lived in a dozen of neighboring countries, more precisely in 34 countries.
I have traveled or resided in countries as a child, and was impressed with his
life and work in such countries. Well traveled and multi-cultured fellow.
At the end, we shook hands and departed each our own way.
Starlight
It started with an early breakfast on Christmas Day 2012.
I was staying at a hotel in Sterling, VA, ready to travel
later that day.
As I sat at the table to consume my food calories,
I overheard an interesting conversation. Two men, one of which
appeared younger (and handsome) was listening with interest to an
older fellow who spoke with agitation on the different types of people,
the giving and the non-giving. The passion in his voice was distinguishable.
Soon after, the old fellow departed and I headed for coffee.
This is where I met the younger fellow, which I realized is tall,
and looking up to his face, no longer resisting my curiosity,
I asked about the overheard conversation. And so I learned that
the agitated fellow was 82 years old, finishing his PhD in Psychology,
traveling from Istanbul to Library of Congress DC for research papers.
Amazing!
As we were discussing the balance in life of giving and receiving,
this fellow announced confidently that he has achieved his balance.
I immediately asked - "How do you know?" and his reply was simple
and convincing. "You see - before I would write a check and give money.
Now I get to do the whole thing, have formed an organization, write bulletins,
communicate with people, collect and distribute money. We help people with
health insurance, with surgeries, and places to stay in US."
Wow!
We continued talking, and I found myself sharing with this "stranger"
things of my life that have deep meaning and importance, like my work,
my life in US my home country... For unknown reason, I felt comfortable.
He shared with me that he started from having nothing, and building-up the
American dream, with work, optimism, persistence. Now he was helping people.
He asked me from what country I was originally; he knew not only the country,
but lived in a dozen of neighboring countries, more precisely in 34 countries.
I have traveled or resided in countries as a child, and was impressed with his
life and work in such countries. Well traveled and multi-cultured fellow.
At the end, we shook hands and departed each our own way.
Starlight
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