Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nasuh looked at me, something deep inside of him speaking to something deep inside of
me. Because ultimately the gifts weren't just about the monetary offer or even their inten-
ded consequences, they carried a message and it said, “I believe in what you do. I support
your dream. I connect with who you are.”
Nasuh began to nod slowly. His voice quiet as he replied, “You left your home to find
kindness, no? And you meet the world and give kindness. Loving people changes all of us,
Leon. Be prepared to change.”
The next morning, I had breakfast with Mehmet, and talked about his cousin's work.
Mehmet also worked with Nasuh and respected his cousin—not just because they were
family, but because he had learned from him just how much good could be done in this
world. I thanked Mehmet for his kindness and that of his cousin.
“I feel very fortunate to have bumped into you, and I feel very fortunate that you in-
troduced me to your cousin and that we had the chance to meet,” I told him. “I hope you
know—I hope you both know—that our friendship doesn't end here.”
“Of course not, Leon,” Mehmet laughed. “You have family now in Turkey, too. If you
need anything, anything at all, you promise me, you let me know. We are now the same, we
are, uh, we are like brothers.”
As I drove off on Kindness One, I kind of felt like Odysseus setting sail once again. I
realized that it was so easy for me to connect to these friends I had met along the way. After
one day, it was like I had known them forever. But what about the people I
had
known
forever? Could I stay connected once I was home? Or was Lina right? Was I just running
from relationships that felt the most permanent?
