Chiang Mai: The Magical Care Package

TEARS welled up as I opened the box and read the card. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - and feeling. 

Such generosity touched my heart - and deeply!

The kids surrounded me, anxious to take a peak, as though it were Christmas all over again. Zenchai was so excited. 

Slowly, we pulled out gifts - such thoughtful, beautiful and considerate presents - sent to us for no other reason than the desire to share and offer a helping hand. 

Even though we've been fortunate to receive random acts of kindness on our travels, each time it restores my faith in humanity.

So how did this package come about?

Well, a long-time Ozzie yogini friend of mine asked for our address here in Chiang Mai. She said she wanted to send a little something over to us. 

I recieved a little pink card in the post one morning telling me I had something to collect from the main post office (well I assume that is what it said as it was all typed in cryptic Thai).

My first stop before the post office was my weekly yoga class. Interestingly, as I glanced over to look at my alignment in the full-wall mirror, my mind couldn't help but to wander to my grubby yoga attire. Sweat dripping down me, I could only think about how I would need some new threads before I could present a class myself. Then I was whipped back into class by the challenge of another advanced posture.

After class Claude suggested we get lunch, but the surprise was killing me. I wanted to get to the post office to collect our parcel.

Zenchai and Claude trundled through the heat into the post office. They emerged 15 minutes later with a large box. From across the road, Claude was carrying it by those plastic ties they sometimes use for packaging - it looked heavy. Claude placed the box on the front seat and Zenchai said "looks like your friend sent you nappies [diapers]." The box was from a bulk nappy purchase. 

I thought it could be feasible, but then again I knew this friend has just recently had a baby, so I couldn't imagine why she would send us nappies that she would likely be needing.

Anyway, we went to lunch (at one of our favourite places, Beetroot Stories Cafe) and over our delicious meal Zenchai had great fun guessing the contents of the box (bouncy castle, train set, chocolates, cars etc). 

As soon as we got home, I went straight to the scissor drawer and plunked myself down on the floor waiting for Claude to drop the box in front of me. I carefully opened the top to discover a card. I pulled it out and began reading. While I was reading the card, Zenchai was emptying the box with "wows" and "what's this?" 

I read the first few lines of what my friend wrote in the card and couldn't help but to blub. You see, she travelled a lot with her husband before making her family. She has been following our travel adventures, knowing first-hand that travelling is not all sunny skies, beaches or one long holiday. Travelling is wonerderful and exciting, but it doesn't come without its ups and downs, especially when you have small ones in tow. 

Out of the love of her heart (and she has a mighty big one), she and her family put together the kind of care package that they would have loved to have received when they were out on the road exploring this mighty world. 

The box just never seemed to empty! There were books for the grown-ups, cars for Zenchai, a doll for Kobra, organic tea, beautiful soaps, children's puzzle and book, dresses for Kobra, chocolates, eco-friendly water bottles for the kids, natural bug spray and so much more.

But the cream of the crop for me was the addition of some of the most amazing yoga clothes I have ever seen - yoga clothes made of natural fibers, beautiful colours and super flattering fit. My friend is importing and selling these yoga jewels in Australia. In my 12 years of teaching yoga I don't think I have ever had any yoga clothes quite as nice as these!

I was so incredibly overwhelmed - and still am. I feel so grateful, not for just what my friend did, but for having her in my life. 

"You may wonder at this random act of generosity," she wrote. "You may feel a little surprised or even perplexed. But we believe absolutely in giving at every opportunity and we fully recognise the sense of joy in giving and the power it has to uplift us as well as the recipient [you guys]."

If only the world were full of more people like my friend and her family. 

 

 

Comments

[Martin Pietrzak]

Isn't it amazing to have such good friends? Our travels around the world have been amazing, educational and inspiring but one thing we can not replace are our good friends back at home. We can't wait to see them again. All the best.

[Claude]

So very true Martin! Safe travels back home!

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