From time to time there comes a moment when we can make someone else’s life a little bit more enjoyable. Two Costa Rican immigrants have made several appearances in these essays. They are Jenny M and Ronald H. They are married, but in conformance with Costa Rican custom, Jenny retains her maiden name.There are three wonderful H children. You may recall that in an earlier essay, their boys, Esteban and Fabian, won some medals for their soccer skills. They elected to give those medals to me as their “Grandpa in America.” Also, you may recall that Jenny is a housekeeper.
In recent days, there have been some developments that auger well for the H family. After nine years of waiting, Jenny and Ronald finally received their green cards which entitled them to permanent residency in this country. It also entitles them to get a driver’s license which opens up new job possibilities for both of them.
Esteban is 12 years old and Fabian is a nine-year-old. These days it appears that getting through grade school is made easier by owning a computer which assists in producing a better grade of homework. The situation at home being what it was, acquiring a computer was far out of the reach of these two boys. Their mother insists that both boys do their homework and get good grades. They live in Summit, New Jersey, which has a superior school system. I would not wish to bring home a less than stellar grade and present it to their mother, Jenny. Jenny is the cop on the beat when it comes to the education of her children. We say, “Hurrah for Jenny.”
And so it was that Miss Chicka and I were privileged to help these children of immigrants. Because Esteban is in the sixth grade, he seemed to need a computer quickly. Miss Chicka had located a good computer and with the few dollars that Esteban had saved, we made up the rest and presented the computer to old Esteban. As soon as Esteban got the computer, he sat down to compose a thank you note. Here is what he said.
Hi, Ed and Judy.
This is Esteban. I wanted to say thank you soooooo much for getting me the laptop. It is helping me so much and making life easier. Thank you again and God bless you.
Signed: Esteban
When the post Thanksgiving sales came, we thought it would be a good investment to get his brother a computer so that the two boys would be on even terms. When the computer arrived here, Esteban escorted Fabian into the house. Fabian saw the name Toshiba on the box. He did not fully realize what he was doing as he opened the box. When the laptop computer appeared in all of its wrappings, Fabian’s face was wreathed in beatific smiles. And here is what Fabian wrote as a thank you note when he got home. It read:
Thank you Ed and Judy for this computer. I love it. It is so awesome. I love this baby. Thank you very very very very much. You guys are the best people in the world!
God bless you guys.
Signed: Fabian H
The worries of the world are many. Some of the political fighting makes me wish that I could bang some heads together. But when two young boys are made happier by the presentation of laptop computers, and write thank you notes in appreciation, Miss Chicka and I feel entitled to pat ourselves on our backs.
At least we feel that we have made a difference in these young boys lives. They are the kind of children that will grow up to be fine citizens of this country. If they are made happier in the bargain, so much the better.
E. E. CARR
December 6, 2010
Essay 517
~~~
Kevin’s commentary: I read this essay to Jen, and she simply remarked “you come from good people. Something happened to you since then, clearly, but you COME from good people.” I couldn’t agree more. This essay made me very happy when I read it the first time and successfully cheered me up when I re-read it just now. Generosity is in short order these days it seems, and when it appears it certainly merits back pats.
In recent days, there have been some developments that auger well for the H family. After nine years of waiting, Jenny and Ronald finally received their green cards which entitled them to permanent residency in this country. It also entitles them to get a driver’s license which opens up new job possibilities for both of them.
Esteban is 12 years old and Fabian is a nine-year-old. These days it appears that getting through grade school is made easier by owning a computer which assists in producing a better grade of homework. The situation at home being what it was, acquiring a computer was far out of the reach of these two boys. Their mother insists that both boys do their homework and get good grades. They live in Summit, New Jersey, which has a superior school system. I would not wish to bring home a less than stellar grade and present it to their mother, Jenny. Jenny is the cop on the beat when it comes to the education of her children. We say, “Hurrah for Jenny.”
And so it was that Miss Chicka and I were privileged to help these children of immigrants. Because Esteban is in the sixth grade, he seemed to need a computer quickly. Miss Chicka had located a good computer and with the few dollars that Esteban had saved, we made up the rest and presented the computer to old Esteban. As soon as Esteban got the computer, he sat down to compose a thank you note. Here is what he said.
Hi, Ed and Judy.
This is Esteban. I wanted to say thank you soooooo much for getting me the laptop. It is helping me so much and making life easier. Thank you again and God bless you.
Signed: Esteban
When the post Thanksgiving sales came, we thought it would be a good investment to get his brother a computer so that the two boys would be on even terms. When the computer arrived here, Esteban escorted Fabian into the house. Fabian saw the name Toshiba on the box. He did not fully realize what he was doing as he opened the box. When the laptop computer appeared in all of its wrappings, Fabian’s face was wreathed in beatific smiles. And here is what Fabian wrote as a thank you note when he got home. It read:
Thank you Ed and Judy for this computer. I love it. It is so awesome. I love this baby. Thank you very very very very much. You guys are the best people in the world!
God bless you guys.
Signed: Fabian H
The worries of the world are many. Some of the political fighting makes me wish that I could bang some heads together. But when two young boys are made happier by the presentation of laptop computers, and write thank you notes in appreciation, Miss Chicka and I feel entitled to pat ourselves on our backs.
At least we feel that we have made a difference in these young boys lives. They are the kind of children that will grow up to be fine citizens of this country. If they are made happier in the bargain, so much the better.
E. E. CARR
December 6, 2010
Essay 517
~~~
Kevin’s commentary: I read this essay to Jen, and she simply remarked “you come from good people. Something happened to you since then, clearly, but you COME from good people.” I couldn’t agree more. This essay made me very happy when I read it the first time and successfully cheered me up when I re-read it just now. Generosity is in short order these days it seems, and when it appears it certainly merits back pats.