Sometimes it's simple...

A gardner came to our house a couple of times, to take care of some plants. He's a young guy, probably from Romania. He's nice and speaks good Greek. He told us that his wife is pregnant.

Isabelle had the idea that when he finishes his work and we pay him, we also give him a small gift for his soon-to-be-born daughter. I thought this is a great idea, so we started talking about what we should get, a toy, or some clothes etc. Since we really don't know this guy, we thought that he might be offended if we give him something "practical" like clothes, as if suggesting that he doesn't look like he can afford it himself (which, by the way, he doesn't)... So we decided on a cuddly bear kind of thing.

Isa went out and got one, after calling me three times to ask if she should choose a giraffe, a bear or a dolphin. Then yesterday she took out her wrapping paper, scisors and cellotape, and wrapped it up nicely. Today he came by to get paid. Isa was all excited. She called me at work to tell me that she is about to give him the gift, and later she called me even more excited to tell me how touched he was, and how he thanked her and kissed her and all that.

I can tell you beyond any doubt that the happiness this gesture has given Isa (and myself), not only exceeds the happiness we gave this guy, but really ranks way up there.

Sometimes life is simple, if you simply want it to be simple. Instead of conjuring up her little plan, Isa could just as easily have spent her time wondering if she could trust this guy alone in our garden, and counting the buckets and pots to see if any will be missing afterwards.

Give yourself the benefit of the doubt!