Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
I nodded, “Well, that's actually why I wanted to talk with you. Because, well, first of all
I want to thank you both for letting me stay in your house, introducing me to Kay. It's all
been an amazing act of kindness.”
They smiled at me, unsure of how to respond.
I forged ahead, explaining, “But for me it's not just about the kindness you've shown
me, it's about the kindness that clearly lives everywhere in your life. With your families
and each other and the people you help. I know you've given something to me without ex-
pecting anything in return. It seems that's just the way you live your life. Which is very
rare. But I'd like to offer you something in return.”
I paused for a moment as I prepared to tell them, “I want to pay for you to go to your
son's wedding.”
After years of offering a sense of family to those who were disconnected from their own,
it was time for Willy to see his real family. Willy's face went white, and I could see as the
tears filled his eyes, that this was that one thing, that special little dream that we all keep
alive even when we don't know how we're going to make it happen. After a moment of
stunned silence all he could say was, “You're joking?”
“I am absolutely not joking,” I replied.
“You're serious?” Willy asked with a straight poker face.
“I am very serious.”
His mouth began to quiver, this strong man finally letting go of his Scottish pride to ac-
cept that generosity can go both ways. It always should.
“I'm speechless,” Willy finally replied, a smile breaking across his face. “An English-
man has made me speechless!”
“And that's the first time a Scotsman's ever been speechless,” I teased back.
“This is the answer to my prayers,” Willy quietly whispered, the tears beginning to flow.
He gave me a big hug, and this time it was someone else who wouldn't let go. I could feel
his body shaking as the emotions overtook him. This big-hearted man was finally dropping
his own mask. The one that pretended that he was okay with not seeing his son get married,
the one that acted as if being of service to others could somehow replace the love he felt
for his family. He finally pulled away and said, “This is what faith brings.”
I excused myself and went to my room to go to sleep. I pulled out my computer before
going to bed and sent out an email. It was short and sweet, a little shot in the dark to the
home I had left behind. It was to Lina, and it said the three most important words one hu-
man being can say to another, “I love you.”
