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Have you ever been the recipient of a life-changing ‘gift’?
Have you ever done something for someone, or given something which, to you, was insignificant, yet meant the world to the person you gave it to? A couple of weeks ago, there was a get-together at my place, and some of the people that had been invited decided to bring with them whatever it is they imbibe in, just in case the host only drunk tea. When they finally left much later, they forgot to carry the remaining contents of the 50-litre yellow mutungi they had bought themselves.
The next morning, my house manager, (she is a somewhat elderly woman) who was about to leave since it was her off day, asked, “Hii muratina ilibaki nibebee mzee wangu?” I didn’t even know it was there, and since I have absolutely no interest in this liquid our forefathers concocted, I told her to feel free to take it with her. That evening when she returned, she told me how happy her husband was, and how he had found it hard to believe that I would freely give something like that… Clearly, a man that loves his tipple.
Now, every Sunday evening when she returns, she always tells me, “Mzee amekusalimia sana…” which I find amusing, considering I’ve never met the man, though I always hide my smile and tell her to say hello back. This man, who has never met me, decided that he liked me because I had been generous with something that he found joy in, and if he is the praying kind, I really hope that he sometimes says a prayer for me, in which he wishes me a long life, never mind that the alcohol wasn’t mine to give in the first place...
But that was on a light note. Many years ago, a young woman walked into the offices of a company I was working in then. It wasn’t a big business, and I was at the reception area chatting with the receptionist when she came in and explained that she was stranded and needed bus fare to get home. Two hundred shillings was enough, she said. I had the money, which I gave her since she seemed to be in genuine distress. I promptly forgot about that incident soon afterwards.
Many, many years later, long after I had left that company and started working elsewhere, I met this young woman, who just so happened to be an employee in the same company.
I did not remember her, nor did I remember my act of generosity, in fact, this story I have recounted here was told to me by her when she introduced herself and realised that I had no idea who she was. In doubt, I asked her whether she was sure she was attributing this act of kindness to the right person.
She was, she told me, because she recognised me from a picture that had appeared in features I had written for the publication I worked for all those years ago. Up to today, I don’t recall that incident, but this particular person will never forget it because that little money I gave her that day might be what prevented her from sleeping in the streets that day.
Think about it, that job recommendation you agree to put in for a friend’s friend, or a relative’s child, might have life-long impact, yet it took you very little effort. What about mentoring those young in the profession you are in and perhaps giving them a platform to practice their newly acquired skills?
Forget the ‘big’ gestures, those clothes and shoes that lie forgotten in your wardrobe would be a miracle gift to someone who cannot afford to buy clothes, so get them out and take them to your church this Sunday for onward donation. Many churches have outreach programmes supporting the needy, and clothes and other personal items would be appreciated.
