Thursday, June 6, 2013

Twenty ways in 20 days, Day 4. Paying it forward.

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I got pregnant with our first child five weeks after we got married. It was a happy but VERY unexpected surprise. When my Mom found out I was expecting, she started planning immediately how to save enough money to come and be there for me when I go into labor.

The first year in the US was not an easy one for me. American movies like to portray Russian men as mafia and Russian girls as gold diggers (if not worse). Well, let's say, I wasn't one of those girls. I met my Hubby in Siberia, Russia, and when I married him he was a poor student working  in retail. I married for love.

But leaving my loved ones behind was, probably, the hardest thing I've ever had to do. The first year here was the hardest. Even with a loving and caring husband by my side, I felt depressed and lonely. So when I found out that my mom was going to be there when I would go into labor, I was ecstatic.

Well, she didn't make it :) He was born ten days early, and I had a nightmare of a delivery. So she came ten days later on Tuesday, and on Thursday night I was back in the hospital with terrible pain in my stomach. Turned out that, more than likely from pushing for more than 3.5 hours, I got a rapture inside of me that soon turned into an ulcer. And that night it perforated. I spent almost the whole week in the hospital recovering from the emergency surgery while my Mom was home alone with my baby.

But she was not alone. Hubby's family and the wonderful ladies from our Church were always by her side helping out, buying diapers and, most importantly, plain feeding her. My Mom doesn't drive, couldn't go shopping and speaks very little English (the ten words that she knows don't count :). And none of those sisters spoke Russian (duh!) but they miraculously understood each other. Since then, every time I make a meal for a friend who just had a baby, I think about those amazing women, and even now, six years later my heart is still filled with gratitude. Like it was yesterday.

A little over a week ago our friends had the cutest little baby girl. We haven't had a chance to visit them since but I wanted to do something nice for them.

This week I decided to wrap an extra meal in our menu just for them. We happened to have a small 2lb boneless pork roast in the freezer, so I baked it with some spices (it smelled SO good). I added mashed potatoes and corn on the side:

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I also added a little dessert - a simple pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting (it's one of those few baked goodies that always turns out good for me :)

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Today it was about paying it forward and sharing the love that somebody shared with me when I felt that nobody cared...

How was your day?

23 comments:

  1. That was great that everyone was there for your family during that difficult time. Very sweet of you to make the meal for the new babies family.
    Rhonda

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    1. It was something I never expected. I'm glad I got this lesson in kindness :)

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  2. What a welcome you had to the US!! Cooking meals for others is such a joy. I know the new Mommy was so excited to have a night off from the kitchen and a wonderful meal on the table. So sweet of you!

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    1. I love doing little things like this for others when I can :) it's not much but it helps!

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  3. You are one amazing girl, Lena. I LOVE paying it forward, as it feels good to do so in my heart. x And like your son says, if it is really good put it on your blog and facebook, Mom. That was just too cute.

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  4. The foil pan is a good way to deliver the food. I will have to remember that for next time.

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    1. Oh, I started making it and then realized that I would need a bazillion of containers to deliver this meal. So I looked in my storage to see what I could use and came up with this! These are actually bigger, roasting pans. I also made rolls on the side.

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  5. Wow, that's amazing. Sorry that your delivery was so tough, but so happy to hear it worked out in such a great way. That's definitely a way to pay it forward! Friends are very lucky to have you.

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    1. Thank you :) I still shudder when I think of the delivery of my first baby but he's worth every minute of what I went through. And my second delivery was a dream :)

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  6. I love this story!

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  7. I love this story! - Michelle

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  8. Lena~ You have got to be one of the most remarkable and unselfish person I have ever meet:) Your kindness is endless. Bringing a meal to someone after they have a baby or surgery is always appreciated! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines Your meal looks Delicious!!

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    1. OMG, Lynn, you are so sweet!!! :) Thank you so much!

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  9. What a nice thing to do! My mom only had an hour drive to come visit when my babies were born. Thank God for mom's! I got very sick after my youngest was born, not sure what I would have done without her there.
    Today I took my youngest daughter to register for college. I am so happy for her, but worried sick about how we will pay for it. Not like we didn't know this day would come, just didn't know it would be so bad! LOL

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    1. Moms are the best! Can't say the same about colleges:) My kids are 3 and 6, and I'm already scared! Can she find a part-time job to help with some expenses?

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    2. She has been looking for a summer job, but no luck. She will have work study once school starts. Even after financial aid! Its a private school and she got an excellent scholarship, but we still owe $12,000! Trust me, I do not have an extra $12,000 in the bank, LOL

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  10. Just loved reading this post, Lena! You are an amazingly strong woman! God bless your wonderful mother! :)

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    1. Thank you, Carla! My Mom is my biggest inspiration! I love her so much!

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  11. Lena this is why you are important in my life! Because you are amazing.

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    1. Aww, Kim, you are a sweetheart! I'm learning from the best :)

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