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Title: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by JenniferD on Dec 26th, 2005, 9:10am My older brother Bob called me and asked me what I was making for our Christmas get together at my house. Typically everyone comes here and I LOVE cooking for everyone. My great Grandmother, who came to the US in 1901 from the Ukraine, taught my mom how to make what to us are now our holiday traditional foods: pierogi (kinda like a Polish ravioli stuffed with potato and cheese) and kapusta (pork, kielbasa and sauerkraut), who then taught me the "old world" way of making them. So I told Bob I'd spent two days making pierogi, the kapusta was cooking and I had just put the ham in the oven (and the house smelled amazing!). He said, "Jen I work with this old guy, he's probably 80 or so and he's like half Ukrainian and half Polish and speaks very little English. He's a security guard in the building where I work and doesn't say much, but he found someone he can connect with when I mentioned pierogi! "If you would, could we fix up a plate of the good stuff and I'd like to take it to him after I leave your place. He has to work Christmas night and I can run down to Richmond afterward (after our party) so he has something other than a sandwich to eat, that's all he eats." Bob called me yesterday morning and said he'd found out the man was working the day shift so asked if he could come over early and pick it up. (Its an hour drive to my house from his.) No problem, I cooked up some of the pierogi, tossed them in the traditional oil and fried onions, and we LOADED up the plate with pierogi, a big pile of kapusta, some roasted ham, and a separate plate of coffee cake. Right before Bob left to take the food to Richmond, (an hour+ in the other direction), he told me that this old guy, 80something years old, has no family here in the states, bears a tatoo on his arm- he is a holocaust survivor. I received the most beautiful but humbing gift in this act of my brother's goodness. I was asked to cook and prepare a meal for this man. I was so deeply honored that Bob asked me to join him in fixing this meal, but at the same time, so humbled. I was so afraid it wasn't going to be good enough. Had I made my very best that I could? Would he like it? Bob drove the hour back to Richmond, then back to my house to join the rest of us for dinner. Bob said, " Jen, I wish you could have seen his face. I offered him the plate and said, 'pierogi?' and his face just lit up. He didn't say much, but I thought he was going to cry!" I wish all of you knew how touched I am by this. This to me was the greatest gift I have ever received-the gift of being able to give the very best I had. I hope you all had a joyous day! Love, Jen |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Rock_Lobster on Dec 26th, 2005, 10:08am Very cool story. Pierogi's rock... my mom makes them with her church every month... has been for 40 years. /going through pierogi withdrawl since I moved to IL... expecting her to bring a cooler full in February |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Charlie on Dec 26th, 2005, 12:16pm You're pretty effen decent; you know that? http://www.clusterheadaches.com/public_html/yabbimages/smileys/hug.gif Charlie |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by maffumatt on Dec 26th, 2005, 12:19pm a small act of kindness can affect someone in a very big way |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by BarbaraD on Dec 26th, 2005, 12:31pm Lump in my throat -- now that's what the Christmas spirit is all about.... And I'll stop right now before I get mushy -- Hugs to you and yours... BD |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Dec 26th, 2005, 1:19pm Jen - What a wonderful way to share the Christmas spirit. You've no doubt made that man's day and it's a memory you'll keep in your heart forever. Carol |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Tim_Z on Dec 26th, 2005, 3:35pm Jen that is just way too cool. It's amazing how we can touch someone and not even realize it. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Tim |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Cerberus on Dec 26th, 2005, 3:39pm Thats a Big HOORAH Jen. Christmas spirit at its Finest indeed. BTW... I am half Ukrainian/Polish, and I have a deep understanding of these things you speak of... my grandma too used to do all the cooking and made peirogi and other foods that although I have the recipies for, could only hope of preparing properly. You obviously did well. Check your PMs too ;) Ramon |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Langa on Dec 26th, 2005, 3:46pm I loved your story!!! Where's the tissues...? :P Now that's what it's all about isn't it...? That's an awesome thing you did... ;;D Langa |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by BobG on Dec 26th, 2005, 7:30pm A wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it, Jen. |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Ree on Dec 26th, 2005, 7:42pm A beautiful Christmas story Jen~ You have done God's work... he asks that we be good to one another.... His will be done.... very very cool.... love Ree |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Phil L on Dec 26th, 2005, 8:03pm A beautiful story indeed. Random acts of kindness always come back in the most wonderful ways - even if your not there to see them. |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Carl_D on Dec 28th, 2005, 2:26am Jen - YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure you brightened that guys day bigtime! That was very thoughtful of you, and very selfless of your brother to make the trip. THAT is what Christmas is all about. Now if you'll excuse me, my eyes have something in them. Peace, Carl |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by Barry_T_Coles on Dec 28th, 2005, 2:44am Hi Jen That was wonderful; I can just imagine the look on the old man’s face. My wife is Ukrainian and knows how to cook most of the dishes that her mother taught her and I just love the food. We always have a jar of Ogorki in the fridge, best pickle ever. Kind Regards Barry |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by JenniferD on Dec 28th, 2005, 7:50am on 12/26/05 at 09:10:40, JenniferD wrote:
I thank you all for your kind words, but as I put in the original post, it was my brother Bob who did it- I was simply the hands to cook with. Bob is the one whose idea it was and who took so much time out of his holiday to drive back and forth. I just got to be a part of it and I am so very blessed to have been given that opportunity to share in what he had done. So- way cool to Bob!!!! He is my oldest brother and he is such a nice person, but this just tops 'em all!! |
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Title: Re: The most humbling Christmas ever Post by E-Double on Dec 28th, 2005, 8:24am :) Thanks for the smile |
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