Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I think one of the rarest gifts to be offered is the gift of baby-sitting a child.

Recently I had to be alone with my 4 month old baby for a good 18 days. I was weighing different options like taking time-off from work (which was very difficult at that time) and leaving him in a day care system.  I was still undecided when a good friend just jumped in and offered to take care of him while I was at work.  Just like that. What I didn't know was that she herself was flooded with work at that time! And the other thing I didn't know was that by taking care of 'him', she meant 'us'.

So we moved lock stok and barrel -- diaper pail and all -- into into her artsy home. And over the next two weeks, she and another good friend cooked and cleaned and baby-sat and did everything my Mom and Dad would have done for us. My only tasks as my friend commanded me, would be to take care of the baby and attend to my part-time job.

And in between, we camped at a third friend's place for a weekend and again, we were thorougly spoiled.

Towards the end of our stay, my fourth friend from Chicago flew in all the way to California for 4 days leaving her own 2 kids and lots of work behind - just so she can have her share of baby-sitting when I needed a hand. No sight-seeing, no business, just plain service.

All these people made us feel so speical I almost forgot that I was the one in need of help.

When others serve you, you realize the joy of receiving and naturally feel like sharing that joy with others.  Anyone need a babysitter? :)