KINDNESS AND HUMILITY

The group that I went to the Dominican with back in February decided to get together for a bbq the other night.  I had gone to the Dominican to volunteer.  It was an amazing experience and left me with a lot to think about.  Even though I’ve processed a lot since the trip, I believe there is still much lurking in my head that I’m not quite ready to think about, that’s how much of an impact it’s left in me.  So, about 8 of us got together for the bbq.

It was a great time, relaxing, fun, lots of good food.  I had not seen most of them since March, so it was nice to play catch-up.  Unfortunately, our leader, who has about 300 of my printed photos (yes, thats really how many I took!), was not there.  I would have liked to have caught-up with him and his wife and, ok, get my pictures back! 

At the end of the night, I was dragging my friend out the door, we had gone together, she’s the one who inspired me to go to the Dominican.  It was late, and I was getting bitten alive by the mosquitos.  My poor ankles still feel sore from the bites.  And, it’s still itchy!!  Anyways, as I was standing by the doorway, the husband of the couple who were hosting came over to me and leaned into me and said quietly “I’m so glad that you came, I wanted to apologize for my behaviour in the Dominican”.  Surprised, I wasn’t quite sure what he meant.

Apparently, he was quite ticked at me on my first morning when I took my first shower in the tree shower, which is another story.  When he took a shower after me, not knowing this, I had used up all the hot water (seriously, I took like a barely 5 minute shower).  That pissed him off – although he later learned our water tank was small.  He also knew that I didn’t do it on purpose but he still got mad.  Obviously, his behaviour towards me bothered him enough to say something to me.  And, I felt like a bit of an idiot for not realizing anything was amiss.

But, for him to come to me after more than 5 months and apologize for behaviour I didn’t even notice must have been difficult for him and to also admit knowing that I couldn’t have possibly done it on purpose but he still got mad at me must not have been easy.  It reinforces to me that its never too late to take responsbility for your actions.  I think it says a lot about his character and integrity.  I could learn a thing or two from this guy.  It’s good to be humble, hard, but good.