Ever since my trip to Minnesota this June, generosity's been on my mind. Throughout the trip, generosity kept peeking out, the first time with a new friendship and a bar of soap.
When I discovered Megan's blog some time ago (through Carol of Giraffe Dreams), I knew I'd found a kindred spirit. She posts about the things she is grateful for, her travels and favorite recipes (which look sublime by the way), but every now and then she posts some thoughtful reflection on a topic like, oh, Mercy with a capital M, and wham, I just want to walk right over to her house with a plate of cookies and have a real conversation. As I started reading, I hoped this girl would become a friend.
When I emailed her about visiting while I was in MN, I didn't know what her response would be. Talk about generous! My invite to meet for lunch was reciprocated with an offer of a ride from the airport, an invitation to stay with her and her hubby and another offer to drive me up to the retreat. At the rate she was going, I wouldn't have been surprised if she offered me her sweet puppy for company the entire time I was in the state! Was I ever glad to take her up on some of her offers! It was so fun to chat in real time, to eat her yummy food (and the excellent arugula/goat cheese pizza at Punch) and to see lovely MN.
Then, like good friends do, she taught me a lesson. Shopping in the cutest little shop, she came across something that smelled delicious and asked me if I liked almond. (Why yes, I do.) She started to tell me about a soap she bought that was almond scented and I immediately interrupted to say, "And you really don't like it?" (You know that something you bought that you just didn't love in the end, but you don't want it to go to waste and you know someone will love it? Mmm hmmm, I jumped right to that conclusion.) No, she LOVES it. She buys extra to give to others all the time, sharing her abundance. Made me wonder...why was my first assumption that she was offering to pass something along because she ended up not liking it? Yikes! Do I share only that which I don't like or don't need? Showed me again how joyful it can be to share the best. I can do more of that! Thanks Megan for the good example.
What have you been taught by a friend's good example?
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2 comments:
Oh... You just made me cry! I had so much fun with your visit - and you, little Missy, brought your own spirit of generosity, too! Your openness and friendship, and willingness to stay with this crazy lady in MN was a WONDERFUL gift!
We enjoyed the ginger chocolate bar on a warm, quiet evening on the patio... The coffee bar is waiting for the perfect moment - cuz that's what you have to do with "good" chocolate, right? :)
I love that you struck out and made contact with a blogging friend in the real world!
Me and a fellow blogger were talking about this phenomenon last week and he was really surprised how many friends I've made this way - maybe it's a guy thing. He just writes to connect with people he knows, I love the networking part of it! So far I've only met up with one, but I'd totally be up for meeting more of my blogging friends.
x
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