While helping a friend clean up from the tornadoes that went through our area a few weeks ago I decided I’d like to sweep off the long driveway. Although it was cleared of trees, there was a lot of debris that made the driveway look messy and unwelcoming. I wanted the driveway to look tidy and welcoming once again (as it always had been in the past).
As I was sweeping (using broom first, then a blower) I thought back to our first trip to Africa in 2009, to visit our son who was living in a small village in northern Mozambique.
Tim met us at the airport in Malawi and we traveled a few days in that country before heading to Mozambique. We were excited to see his house, his work place and the village where he lived.
We first spent a few days in Malawi, at a National Park, and at a resort along Lake Malawi.
Tim was living in a rented, small four-room house. He chose to live among the people of the village instead of at the compound that his work provided. His yard was dirt, and in his front there was a well (no running water in the house) and a banana tree.
Towards evening, as we approached Tim’s house, the front light was on and the yard had been swept…not raked… swept.
A young man, a native and friend of Tim’s from the village, knew the day we were arriving so he swept Tim’s yard and turned on the front light – he wanted Tim’s house to look welcoming for us. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of it (and as I write this), this small act of kindness seared in my mind. Maybe it’s a mother’s heart that makes me get emotional about that seemingly small act of kindness towards one of her children, but it is one I will not forget. It indeed made us feel welcomed.
So as I swept my friend’s driveway maybe I was paying it forward…subconsciously I knew how it made me feel that day when Lucas made his friend’s house look welcoming for his family and I wanted to pass it on.
Thank you Lucas!
Thank you for sharing this simple act of kindness. I understand why you were emotional about this sweeping of the yard.
It is a special memory. I do want to remember to look for opportunities to pass on simple acts of kindnesses.
Precious story!
Thanks. It was a precious time.
Hi Valerie,
Very heartwarming. Thanks for sharing. AWESOME photos. It was just great seeing a photo of Tim!
Thanks Jackie.
That’s Tim from 2009! It’s hard to believe that was nine years ago already.
I read a quote once that said, “All acts of love are maximal.” No kindness, I think, by the very nature of what it is, can be small. Kindness is always big, always powerful!
Such a simple, generous act spoke to you so loudly that, years later, you have not forgotten. How powerful that kind act was that, across the world in another country, it provides motivation for you to offer kindness as well. Amazing!
You’re right and it’s true…no acts of kindness are small. Thank for the reminder.
Thanks for sharing, Mom. This was a fun read. I’m still in touch with Lucas — I’ll let him know he made it onto the Valerie’s Voice platform!
I’m glad you liked reading the post, and I’m glad you are still in touch with Lucas, and I’m really glad you are my son! 😉