In my
life I've always felt it was important to take what people say about others
with a grain of salt, meaning “the phrase comes from Pliny
the Elder's Naturalis Historia, regarding the discovery of a recipe
for an antidote to a poison.[2] In the antidote, one of the
ingredients was a grain of salt. Threats involving the poison
were thus to be taken "with a grain of salt," and therefore less
seriously.
An alternative
account says that the Roman general Pompey believed he could make himself
immune to poison by ingesting small amounts of various poisons, and he took
this treatment with a grain of salt to help him swallow the poison. In this
version, the salt is not the antidote. It was taken merely to assist in
swallowing the poison.” Wikipedia.
When I moved
to The Netherlands, I was told “Don’t expect to ever see your neighbors or get
to know them, they just don’t do that.” Well, if I had listened to that I would
have never had the wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know some fabulous
women. It’s not in my personality to not get to know others. I truly enjoy
meeting new people and discovering their joy in life.
My neighbors
not only welcomed me into their little community, they include me in
neighborhood gatherings. I wave to them when I see them and they wave back. And
when we see each other at the market we greet each other with a kiss (three…
right, left, right). A beautiful greeting of friends.
Twice a year,
the ladies of my neighborhood have a gourmet dinner fully prepared and served
by ourselves. Yes, I’m including myself as I’m part of this group. At my first
time to dinner, I was timid and apprehensive as I didn't speak Dutch, but my
lovely neighbors included me and spoke English to me.
The recipes
are always in Dutch, but whoever is my partner always laughs with me as we work
our way through making our portion of the dinner.
It’s so beautiful to see all
of us in our aprons working together to create not only a special meal but a
special evening.
The evening starts around 6:00PM or 18:00 and lasts well into
the evening, usually around midnight. The meal we prepare is not only delicious
but beautifully presented as well.
As my
neighbors float effortlessly between Dutch and English laughing and smiling, I
can’t help but smile and enjoy this lovely time in my life.
Just
yesterday, I had stopped my car to chat with one of my neighbors. She was out
sweeping leaves. I was asking when to put my leaves in the street. We laughed
and chatted about other things, our smiles warming the chill in the air. As I
began to drive away, she shouted “I love you!” and I shouted back “I love you
too!” And I meant it. These women are not only beautiful on the outside; they
are beautiful on the inside. I’m truly blessed to have such wonderful neighbors
and friends. It makes being away from my family and friends from home so much
easier. I’m so grateful to these women for making my stay here in The
Netherlands feel like home.
Lisa!
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous to find real friends so far from home! I am sure it has to do with your outgoing personality that has helped you be one of the girls there!
Your dinner sounds like such a fun night - somewhere I'd love to be.
Kelly
The women I've met here are truly amazing and so inspiring. They really make being away from home so much easier.
DeleteLisa