it started as a personal dream of getting pledges for good deeds. it continues now as inspiring acts that we hear about to help others in their own hopes ... no matter how big or small the deed ... or the dream.

Monday, November 13, 2006

sleepover homes are good deed doers

I've literally slept around here in Holland. As I find myself (potentially) staying up late in other places, I become in need of a place to crash. So far, dear friend Pepijn has hosted us Pinays twice in Amsterdam (with matching complete Pinoy meal for breakfast), and another dear friend in Utrecht has let us taken over their beds once (with possibly more to come). And I am just filled with such gratitude,... and awe at the generosity of their hearts. In a country, where people pretty much value their personal spaces, letting noisy Filipinas into their homes is quite impressive.

One professor at ISS said that Filipinos have amazing "social capital", wherever we go, we can find a friend with whom we can stay the night (or several nights) in. But no matter how much "social capital" you have, it still depends on your friends, and whether their hearts are open enough to open their homes to you. People who let others sleepover are good deed doers.

Which brings me to a little tribute to my own parents, and how, all throughout my life, they have opened their homes to every one of our relatives and friends who happened to drop by... in need of anything from a TV to watch a movie, or a bed to stay the night. Finding myself on the other side of the fence, I'm grateful for people like them.