A beautiful story about human kindness. Just one small act of love and kindness can make a difference to more than one life.
Kindness always makes it back to you.
Thereโs a particular spot in our village, where if you wait, you can hitch a ride. This day, as we drove by, a local Cypriot man gave us a nod. We stopped for him. He slid into the backseat of our car, two shopping bags full โฆ his face tired, but his smile bright and his eyes kind.
A few minutes up the road he leans forward, โHere, you drop me here.โ Looking around, thereโs just an empty street. No home, nor people nor a village in sight. John quizzed him, โDo you live here?โ
โNo, but I can walk the rest of the way,โ he says. โItโs too far for you to take me up the mountain.โ
โNo, no. We take you.โ
So up the wavy mountain road we go, one kilometre, two kilometres, three. I have no idea how he would have walked it โ but he does on many days.
Along the way, he makes a phone call, โMother, get the coffee ready. I have two English people (he thinks weโre English :D) who are carrying me home. Yes, all the way. Five minutesโ
Seven kilometres later, we arrive at his home; a traditional villa framed in magenta bougainvillaea and backdropped by the Mediterranean blue. Out front stood a beautiful Cypriot woman standing arms open, ready to welcome us into her home.
A memory of my husband's dear Yia Yia flashed in my mind. This woman reminded me of her so much I wanted to cry. She even wore the same little black slippers Yia Yia wore out in her garden.
This gracious lady sat and told us stories about life in her village, the miracles at her local church and how her husband had since passed. The lines on her face and hands told stories too โฆ of hardship and war and the back-breaking work of her younger years. I felt both respect and love for her.
The lines on her face and hands told stories too โฆ of hardship and war and the back-breaking work of her younger years. I felt both respect and love for her.
Her home was filled with colour and light. Beautifully decorated marrow sat beside old family photos and hand crotchet doilies. Flowers and painted doors with delicate touches like dried lavender had turned her house into a loving home.
She led us into her garden. We meandered past pomegranates, oranges and lemons, mandarin trees, rosemary bushes, olives and grapes โฆ as we passed, she grabbed a handful of whatever she was growing โฆ parsley, grapes, chillies and placed them in a bag.
As we prepared to leave, she pushed the bag into my hand with a smile. She kissed me on both cheeks, โFor you. You come back for coffee anytime.โ
As we waved goodbye to her and her son, I felt weโd been blessed. Weโd given him a short ride but had received so much moreโฆ
Not just warm smiles and human connection, but a sharing of stories, a remembrance of our own beloved Yia Yia AND a bag full of Cypriot goodies to enjoy.
What a beautiful story! Isn’t it always amazing how an ordinary day can produce something you weren’t even expecting?
Wow what sweet story! Great read, thanks for sharing!
I love the message behind this story and your entire blog. Truly inspiring ๐
Such a sweet story! Thank you for sharing it ๐
Wow, such a beautiful and kindhearted lady she is! Thanks for sharing this, got a lot learn from.
Such a beautiful story, thank you! We need to share stories like this to remind ourselves of the good in the world, I love it!
Beautiful story, thank you for sharing! Yes even a small act of kindness can give us so much love and blessings!
What a beautiful soul, and beautiful photos, too!