Time to accentuate the positive after that last post!
As I explained in an earlier post, our new neighbors did us a huge solid by volunteering to take us and our malfunctioning car to the repair place. Earlier that week, when we first met at our bus parent meeting, I had offered to take them to school to get their uniforms one day and then again the next day for orientation and meeting the teachers. Because I was going anyway. And because they didn't have a car then (the day they drove us was the first day they got their new car). And because moving to Doha is HARD, especially in the beginning (and sometimes in the during), and I remember what that was like and want to help ease the way in for nice people so they will feel inclined to stay. And, in the end, it turned out to be fortuitous that I had garnered good will with these people since I ended up needing their help with the car and the boys and not only were they there, they volunteered!
At another point in that same week, another long-time neighbor asked if I could pick up some uniform pieces for his son when I went to get ours because his son and wife were still out of town and would miss the uniform buying period. And of course I said I would, because I was going anyway, and I know how difficult it is to get off work to make it to these during the work day events. I did mention that our car was in the shop (for the first time), so I wasn't sure which day I would actually go uniform shopping and our lovely neighbor offered his second car if we needed it, which was just so very nice of him. We ended up using his car to transport ourselves to the repair shop and back, and we were very grateful, and then we had to take our car in the second time, on a Thursday night, so the car would be gone for at least the whole weekend, and our neighbor offered the car to us again to get us to church and then for as long as we needed it while his wife and son were gone. And there his car sits, in our driveway, helping us out a jam while our car languishes in the repair place for an indefinite period of time.
Meanwhile, recently at church, the husband mentioned during one of the many "introduce yourself" sessions we have at the beginning of each school year here that he was going to stay in Doha as long as his job was worth it or his wife could stand it, whichever came first. And a wonderful gentleman came up to him afterwards and asked how I was, how we were, and then volunteered to babysit the boys so we could take some time out for a date. What was, again, absolutely nice of him and something we will obviously appreciate. Long ago, when this man first arrived here, we took him to church a few times when he was carless and here he is now, offering the thing we need in the moment we need it most.
The husband gave me a pre-school blessing along with the boys and blessed me that I would recognize the people put into my life to help me and, I have to say, I've been happy to see these lifesavers for who they are. Your network of friends, neighbors, and colleagues seems even more crucial when you're an expat, and I'm grateful for these and others who have helped and are helping us along the way!
As I explained in an earlier post, our new neighbors did us a huge solid by volunteering to take us and our malfunctioning car to the repair place. Earlier that week, when we first met at our bus parent meeting, I had offered to take them to school to get their uniforms one day and then again the next day for orientation and meeting the teachers. Because I was going anyway. And because they didn't have a car then (the day they drove us was the first day they got their new car). And because moving to Doha is HARD, especially in the beginning (and sometimes in the during), and I remember what that was like and want to help ease the way in for nice people so they will feel inclined to stay. And, in the end, it turned out to be fortuitous that I had garnered good will with these people since I ended up needing their help with the car and the boys and not only were they there, they volunteered!
At another point in that same week, another long-time neighbor asked if I could pick up some uniform pieces for his son when I went to get ours because his son and wife were still out of town and would miss the uniform buying period. And of course I said I would, because I was going anyway, and I know how difficult it is to get off work to make it to these during the work day events. I did mention that our car was in the shop (for the first time), so I wasn't sure which day I would actually go uniform shopping and our lovely neighbor offered his second car if we needed it, which was just so very nice of him. We ended up using his car to transport ourselves to the repair shop and back, and we were very grateful, and then we had to take our car in the second time, on a Thursday night, so the car would be gone for at least the whole weekend, and our neighbor offered the car to us again to get us to church and then for as long as we needed it while his wife and son were gone. And there his car sits, in our driveway, helping us out a jam while our car languishes in the repair place for an indefinite period of time.
Meanwhile, recently at church, the husband mentioned during one of the many "introduce yourself" sessions we have at the beginning of each school year here that he was going to stay in Doha as long as his job was worth it or his wife could stand it, whichever came first. And a wonderful gentleman came up to him afterwards and asked how I was, how we were, and then volunteered to babysit the boys so we could take some time out for a date. What was, again, absolutely nice of him and something we will obviously appreciate. Long ago, when this man first arrived here, we took him to church a few times when he was carless and here he is now, offering the thing we need in the moment we need it most.
The husband gave me a pre-school blessing along with the boys and blessed me that I would recognize the people put into my life to help me and, I have to say, I've been happy to see these lifesavers for who they are. Your network of friends, neighbors, and colleagues seems even more crucial when you're an expat, and I'm grateful for these and others who have helped and are helping us along the way!
Yay for helpful people! So glad you are reaping the rewards of all the good will you've sewn.
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