Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Granny Style Clothing and an Unexpected Friend!


--by Bluebell, posted Jun 22, 2012
Yesterday, I went shopping for slippers with my daughter. First, I thought we should go to the High Street in town but then something took me to a supermarket I don't really like.
 
While we were chatting (and my ten year old daughter was having lots of fun calling my choice of clothes "granny style") a young employee must have heard us.   She came over and asked if we were Portuguese. we said, "Yes," and started a small conversation. She said that she had been living in town for ten years, had two small children, and had lost her husband a year ago to leukemia. She felt really isolated because she had no family here. I know how difficult it can be to live in another country without friends. 
 
I knew in my heart that the fact I was there and that she had found the courage to talk to me was more than just a coincidence. So, I gave her my details and told her that I would really love to meet for a coffee and a chat. I to said it would be lovely to talk to someone who shares the same language.
 
She only lives ten minutes away from us, so I do hope she contacts me!
 
Sometimes you get the feeling that you are not reaching out to a stranger but to a sister (or brother) in need.

 

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Readers Comments

princessliz wrote: Hope to hear how it goes with you two. That was very kind. On earth, we aren't meant to be alone. Bluebell,you're a star!
moral12 wrote: I still believe there are no coincidences. How sympathetic and lovely of you to invite her to contact you; sometimes all we need is for someone to listen. And, yes, it IS hard to be in a foreign country where few speak your native language, especially when times are hard. Bless you, minha amiga!
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: I too believe that everything happens for a reason. Thanks for listening to your heart and extending the hand of kindness. I'm sure it means everything to your new friend! :)
pluto178 wrote: I know you will give her a sense of her old self and a new self of who she is to become. I realise that being with people who think and feel the same way that you do can be an enormous support and she will be able to connect to the people she now lives amongst more easily. Support gives us the strength whilst we grow. Belonging can spread to a much wider level of acceptance and before she knows it everywhere can feel like home. Well done for caring. x
Raqui wrote: I can understand that feeling so well. Being Puerto Rican in the US is not so easy. When your in a location like NY or other big cities where there are lots of Puerto Ricans then you dont understand the difference. When your traveling the country like I am right now. You long to hear people speak your language, to hear the accent, to smell the food, eat the food, to see people who look like you. I am not a giant mexican or a black woman with some indian in my family. I am not a white woman with a tan and I am definitely not samoan. That longing is so hard to deal with. I am happy you are connecting with her and hope you have a beautiful long friendship :)
Aurelia wrote: Perfect timing. I am sure you've made a new friend and your daughter may have some new friends too :0) ~Aurelia
amer wrote: that is a lovely story - it just shows how things 'happen'and how we are always in the right place at the right time. I hope she is guided to contact you and start a new friendship
bluxess wrote: True, if this leads to a lovely friendship, what better way can one think of ? I hope your daughter and this lady found their choices already ! ;-) love and immense blessings, Bluxess.
RMB333 wrote: Lovely story, sure the young lady will contact you one of these days... she feels that you are 'open to others' - I know.
Immense Blessings.
SmileSharer wrote: That is amazing! I hope that the lady will contact you. If she does, she has made a sure friend.

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