36 Comments

What a lovely story, Alexander.

Thank you for sharing.

I hosted a session today online and I talked about gratitude and how we have so much to be thankful for.

I love kiwi fruit btw and just had one before reading your story. I'm grateful ;)

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That’s amazing, good timing!

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What a beautiful story Alex. It breaks my heart to think he is gone due to the war, yet God used this boy to impact your heart and tell his story throughout your life. Thank you. 🙏🏻

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For sure, thank you

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Beautiful story, Alexander, thank you for sharing 🙏 gratitude is a very powerful thing that can transform our lives and the lives of others 🩷

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For sure! Thank you!

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Thank you, Alexander, for this beautiful, tragic, powerful story. Perspective is everything, isn’t it? Your friend had a beautiful, giving, grateful heart. Thank you for the glimpse inside your childhood world…and his.

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It really is, can change our life.

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I grew up without a father, with a mother not working outside the home, and quite a few siblings. We literally lived off of donations until my older sisters were old enough to work and help provide for the family with their own wages. We would sneak food from the fridge, specifically fruit. It was by far our favorite. This brought back memories of my brother sneaking pieces of fruit for us (even if we were hungry, if we had had "enough" no more was allowed or if we hadn't finished our work).

My most-treasured gift from my child-hood is a large, copper-colored spoon. I had a thing for using large spoons, but was not allowed to use them since they were to be used as serving spoons. So one Christmas my older sisters got me the copper-colored spoon. I still use it now, especially when I'm not feeling well. It's my comfort spoon. :)

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That is a powerful personal testimony and such a good example, thank you for that.

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I just told this story the other day on another social site: my grandfather grew up in Nova Scotia in poverty in the early part of the last century. He went to sea on fishing boats in the summers when he was 13 and was a sailor/officer in various services most of his life. Anyway, when he was still home he said that he and his siblings’ entire Christmas gift every year was an orange. (Obviously this was not like Southern California where I knew him.) My problem was that I was a spoiled little shit and totally didn’t get the point. (One of many guilts I still carry around with me.) I would love to honor him for his wisdom and hard but distinguished career, but “that ship sailed” a long time ago.😞

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But you do understand now and that is so important!

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Thank you. You are kind. I am not so quick to forgive myself for the amazing adults I disrespected in my youth.

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Great story, Alexander, thanks for sharing!

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Thank you!

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We are brothers and sisters. Ups and downs as we learn and grow. :)

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100%

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A touching and valuable story Alexander. I'll be sharing this with my family.

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Thank you so much!

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Very sad for your friend he is not forgotten we never know whose lives we touch .My generation did not have much and not the materialism like now. I can understand a kiwi fruit for birthday. I am sad that his life was taken by war.Your story is real and a tribute to your friend.God bless.🕊️🙏♥️.

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God bless you too

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A wonderful story that is timeless and made me pause to properly digest. #welldone

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Glad it was good!

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That is so touching. May your friend rest in peace but always remembered. It's a great reminder to look at everything we do have and be grateful.

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For sure, life changing.

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'...we just don’t understand how abundant our life is until we are given a contrast.'

This is very true. A profound point and reminder, Alexander.

Thanks.

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Thank you for reading!

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Great story about gratitude.

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Thank you!

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I have often found that the poor are the most generous among us.

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Yes!

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youthful innocence

questions

so much

in the growth

of character

of personality

the reality

that friendship

breaks

all barriers

of social misconceptions

set up

to divide

conquer

control

play mates

know not

these imaginary

stigmata

ignorant always

until

truth cruelly

reveals

the bitter lemons

of reality

when the same

social structure

lures in

by fictitious

proxy

as the evils

of war

useless slaughter

of the innocent

feed only

those

psychopaths

in positions

of power

control

ruthless organized

criminal actions

kindness

first

and foremost

stand

the ground

against

the frenzied

corruption

resist

the rules

for and by

the bullies

of everyday

kindness

is inherent

a default

action

natural

in hearts

of nature

too late

sometimes

in the simple

gift

as a kiwi

salvation only

in the memory

of such

devouring

youthful innocence

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Powerful!

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