Our items arrived in Bangalore about two weeks ago and after a lot of waiting for paperwork to get finished we finally received our shipment. We have a few items that were broken but the only item that we can not easily replace in India is my Crockpot. It is amazing how much stuff was in our shipment and we still have things stored in the USA. Some items I am very glad we brought but some I now realize how useless it is to have.
I am very glad I purchased items people suggested like metal trash cans with lids, a lot of paper products, toiletries and kitchen items as they are triple the cost here and of much lower quality. I love being able to sleep in my own bed again and I am thrilled to have our pictures here to hang on the wall and help the house feel like home. However, we have two or three times the number of towels and rags we need and my 9 year old, B, has waaaaaay more toys than he needs and the kitchen is over flowing in cups and specialty cookware items. Living in this house with rented furniture has really helped us all understand how much less we really need to be comfortable.
I think my 11 year old, N, learned the " less is more" lesson before we left as all he brought was his bed, a desk, clothes, a few favorite toys, his laptop, 4 posters (one is the serenity prayer and one is a poster of all the USA presidents), and a book case full of books. His room is the only place in the house that is completely finished setting back up, unless you count the fact he has asked for another book case as his is now completely full of books.
After an enlightening experience for B yesterday, he decided he should give away some of his toys. He was sitting at the table doing homework when someone came to the door. He answered the door with me and saw a little boy, about his size, delivering the ironing. I had him get the money and pay the child for the work and we gave him a few extra rupees. The boy was visibly excited to have the tip which amounts to less than a dime. We talked about how this boys parents did the ironing while the child went to school during the day and the boy had to help with the family business by delivering the clothes each evening. If the boy did not do his part, the family may not have enough to eat. He decided then and there, he had to make a box of toys to give to kids who have so much less than he. He wants to have the first toy go to the delivery boy when he comes next week. Who knows if he will actually follow through on this good intention but at least he is thinking about these issues and maybe it will help him in life. We really don't need so many items to be happy.
I am very glad I purchased items people suggested like metal trash cans with lids, a lot of paper products, toiletries and kitchen items as they are triple the cost here and of much lower quality. I love being able to sleep in my own bed again and I am thrilled to have our pictures here to hang on the wall and help the house feel like home. However, we have two or three times the number of towels and rags we need and my 9 year old, B, has waaaaaay more toys than he needs and the kitchen is over flowing in cups and specialty cookware items. Living in this house with rented furniture has really helped us all understand how much less we really need to be comfortable.
I think my 11 year old, N, learned the " less is more" lesson before we left as all he brought was his bed, a desk, clothes, a few favorite toys, his laptop, 4 posters (one is the serenity prayer and one is a poster of all the USA presidents), and a book case full of books. His room is the only place in the house that is completely finished setting back up, unless you count the fact he has asked for another book case as his is now completely full of books.
After an enlightening experience for B yesterday, he decided he should give away some of his toys. He was sitting at the table doing homework when someone came to the door. He answered the door with me and saw a little boy, about his size, delivering the ironing. I had him get the money and pay the child for the work and we gave him a few extra rupees. The boy was visibly excited to have the tip which amounts to less than a dime. We talked about how this boys parents did the ironing while the child went to school during the day and the boy had to help with the family business by delivering the clothes each evening. If the boy did not do his part, the family may not have enough to eat. He decided then and there, he had to make a box of toys to give to kids who have so much less than he. He wants to have the first toy go to the delivery boy when he comes next week. Who knows if he will actually follow through on this good intention but at least he is thinking about these issues and maybe it will help him in life. We really don't need so many items to be happy.
I think you are right, these experiences will impact your boys for good and likely make them better men.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Matthew says hi!
I have to agree with you there. I really think my children could use some time overseas. You have good boys Marilyn :-)!
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