Our daughter is a great amazing girl-but if I had to describe
her sweet and kind are not adjectives I would use (although she is this a lot of
the time but certainly not what defines her) Fearless, athletic, a leader, sociable,
popular, smart, committed, assertive, confident daddy’s girl, creative, super athletic, beautiful. All
come to mind first.
But every so often she shocks us. As in blows us always
shocks us by utter and unexpected acts of kindness. The kinds of big kindness
that can change a world. She talks constantly of wanting to do humanitarian
missions or helping the poor etc. when she is older. She wants to be a social
worker as a grown up.
Last night there were a bunch of vendors that were allowed coming
in front of the restaurants before dinner. Most of them people were selling
little necklaces and bracelets etc…There was one table with a kind looking
older Dominican man who was selling big homemade wooden sailboats-the kind of things
that even if you liked them a lot- you would never be able to carry them home. So
everyone dismissed his table and just walked along to the other tables.
This really really upset my daughter. It frustrated her and
tore at her heart. She felt so sad for the man who had made these boats. So she
decided to take quite a large amount of her own money (you have to understand
she never ever parts with money unless it is to help poor people) and she walks
up to him and gives it to him as a gift. He barely speaks English and so has no
understanding of what is happening to him. He tries to explain that the sailboats
cost more than the money she is offering and she tries to explain that she doesn’t
want a sailboat. She says she thinks they are beautiful but that she just wants
to offer him a gift. He was so confused and hardly understood but he accepted
it and sat on his chair and tears began to spill in his eyes. She looked back
over her shoulder and saw this and I think she understand that this was true
tears of joy.
It was truly one of the most beautiful moments of her life I
think. And ours too-seeing this kindness in our daughter.
When she was six she has an ear test as had ear tubes and
issues etc and was asked to be on the 6pm news as was at the hospital many
times. She gave up her spot of stardom for the deaf boy beside her whose mom
had commented she wished he was picked as it would make him more popular with
his friends to be on TV. Beauty happily have up her spot.
These two situations and many more like it….make my heart swell
for this little feisty fiery kind girl of ours. Last night was a real treat.
And it was very beautiful too watching the two boys choose
gifts with their money for the girlfriends. They will be such beautiful men one
day..so caring and loving.
Today we had a hot sunny morning at a surf beach. The three
kids took surf lessons on huge waves and we enjoyed the beautiful view.
Stunning stunning beach. Poor Hubby has been sick since last night with both a
flu with fever and sort throat and then this morning tourista- like stuff with
stomach cramps, diarrhea etc..he had to find shade at this very sunny beach
with no bathroom and suffer poor guy for hours L
All day today he has been really sick and weak and tonight fever again and in
bedL Also today Bear’s braces part on back bothering him so have had a
lot of ailments. Earlier this week it was Chase with a sore throat and Beauty
with her period after 14 days only. Oh well!
As usual at 2:30 pm the weather went from gorgeous to hostile
for the rest of the day and evening and so I found shelter at the spa with a
nice 50 % discounted massage *(another
perk of being assertive!!). Hubby went to bed and the kids a little restless as
bc of the high rain and wind all the afternoon activities like beach volleyballs
etc. are all cancelled. They went to the bowling alley and also played pool but
are gettinga bit sick of not being able to enjoy the sun in the afternoon.
Despite some of these obstacles we are all having a great
time here. Extremely relaxing and bc we seem to get a few hrs of very hot sunny
weather in the morning the bad weather and rain and extreme wind affect us a
little less than if it were all day long. We still keep holding out for some better
weather though trust me!!!!!. Two weddings got rained out in the last two days!
But at least weather very warm…
Anyways tonight we just ordered in room service hot and
piping hot pizza and me and the kids will head over that the italian antipasto
buffet and munch on some appetizers only. Hubby will sleep and maybe and
hopefully feel better soon??? I alos feel a bad sore throat coming on..go away
illness and stop following us around!!!!
Beauty bought 15 gifts for Dominican kids and she wrapped
them all pretty. On our way to the restaurant we will start giving them out to
the staff who we have been asking all week how old their kiddies are. Beauty
has them all marked with gender and ages and will distribute accordingly. The staff
here are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life.
And I will add an adjective to my daughter’s list to describe
her “touched” and “touching” . She affects the world and they affect her.
And I know one day…..she will share this gift with the world
in the work she chooses
