Mike Humfreville - 9-5-2006 at 09:48 PM
Support
A short time ago someone raised the issue of giving used clothing to folks in some of the smaller Baja communities. It stuck in my craw and caused me
to chew on the concept for a number of days.
I?ve taken many packages of clothing to our less fortunate friends south of the border. I?ve also donated clothing to Good Will for those of us in
need in the States. I can?t imagine anything wrong with giving discards to others that can use them. Whenever I give a package of used items
directly to a specific family, I always say ??if you know someone who can use these?? to avoid any possibility of making them feel self-conscious.
But when I think about giving it becomes much deeper, especially when we are dealing with a different nationality. We are all unique but confined at
least a little by the countries in which we were raised I guess.
So for days I?ve been trying to put the matter of giving hand-me-downs to others into some perspective.
So many of us come from affluent societies. This is obviously not true for everyone. Perhaps it is us that feel we are being condescending. I think
most folks appreciate another person offering assistance in a time of need. I think it very much depends on the attitude of the donor, not the
recipient.
If I take just my personal life and experiences garnered from other nationalities, I find myself so much richer. People of small rural communities
are often the most giving. That has been my experience particularly in Mexico. So many times I?ve been broken down in a remote place only to be
helped by a family that lived down the track and has far less in material goods than I do. Many times, stuck again, I?ve been fed by folks with
little food. Many folks have bailed me out of various situations (I seem to have more than average!). I have been offered help hundreds of times in
Baja when I was in need. I was always thankful for the helping hand and never felt like I was being looked down on.
If I merge these random thoughts with other wonderful things that Baja has to offer, I think it is ME who should be thankful. Our south-of-the-border
friends share daily a deep feeling of family, a quiet beachwalk with a loved one, a society and lifestyle that is less demanding than many others, an
appreciation for small things?all this I?ve learned first hand from Mexicans: poor, wealthy and in between. While I am unquestionably American there
are many things in Mexico that make me feel impoverished; these are just a few.
So, no, I don?t feel bad supporting others who, only in some ways, are in need. We will all be there from time to time. I gain strength personally
when I reflect that we are all here for each other.
So now the baton is passed back to us, once again, a small opportunity to help others, not because they?re poor, rather because they have experienced
something unexpected. It is our turn, neither the first nor the last, to help others. And once the current crisis is passed, then I can go back to
Baja and appreciate all the wonderful, life-fulfilling things I have received from and taught to me by my Mexican friends.
In deed, one of the most important issues I have come to understand is that?there are many forms of giving. Many of them are intangible.
Now I?ve got to see what I can offer up in the form of support.
vgabndo - 9-5-2006 at 09:55 PM
You'd have made a hell of a carpenter amigo. You seem to always hit the nail right on the head. Semper Fi
CaboMagic - 9-5-2006 at 10:02 PM
Amen ...
Mike----Once again you have captured the-----
Barry A. - 9-5-2006 at 10:32 PM
-----essence of "what it is all about", I am thinking.
Well done, amigo.
FARASHA - 9-6-2006 at 12:23 AM
MIKE - spoken right from the bottom of many peoples heart !!! Nothing to add - except- to encourage others to do the same!! LL
I can feel your message Mike
Sharksbaja - 9-6-2006 at 12:38 AM
It makes a lot a of sense. I remember that thread. It perplexed me as well. Whatever you give will be what you have to give. That will be helpful.
Good thoughts about our Mexican neighbors and friends. Thanks for the reminder.
Bedman - 9-6-2006 at 01:20 AM
Bravo Miquel........Bravo.
As always,
Bedman
Skeet/Loreto - 9-6-2006 at 01:45 AM
God Bless you MIke!
With words that explain so well the feelings of those who Love, have loved and still love the Mexican People and their "Way of Life".
Skeet/Loreto
toneart - 9-6-2006 at 02:30 AM
Well said, Mike!
I'm sure that, when the water recedes and roads are navagable, there will be people there branching out to ejidos and finding the needs. I hope
someone will organize that.
Paulina - 9-6-2006 at 07:51 AM
well put Mike.
Saludos!
P<*)))><
elgatoloco - 9-6-2006 at 08:07 AM
Well said amigo!
As usual Mike,
M - 9-6-2006 at 08:52 AM
You sent out some provacative thoughts at a good time for them to be chewed on.
I hope to see you and M.A. soon....
BIG HUGS,
M
Thanks to all...
Mike Humfreville - 9-6-2006 at 10:24 AM
for your kind words. I'll be out of touch for a few days (trip to Idaho) and then back and heading south to Bahia de Los Angeles to see where we can
help. Sounds like the vast majority of problems are from Sta. Rosalia south. Let's all do what we can for our southern friends.