I had to share this post with all my readers, friends and acquaintances...
When I was growing up as a child, my parents were always sharing their wealth and kindness in Communist Hungary. They would throw Christmas and New Years Eve parties and invite their friends, my father's coworkers, and acquaintances. We were living in a very comfortable lifestyle and could afford to do this. I had oranges, tangerines when people could not afford apples to name a few.
My father always said, if we have enough for us, we need to share with others who do not. Now with that said, everyone looked forward to coming to the Barath's home for the once or twice luxurious meals and parties. Since my dad had wine and alcohol on top, he gave it away to all the guests who could not afford to buy them or get them from the "State Connections."
What I learned was how important it is to share when you are in a position to share.
When we escaped from Communist Hungary and lived in Austria, it was the opposite, we had nothing but the clothes on our backs. My father had to work in a factory, and I watched him reinvent himself from a Mechanical Engineer to a Garden Architect and Furniture Designer. My mother who never worked became a seamstress in a factory and then when the opportunity came, she became pottery artist. This was more in her line, because she was an artist and her father aka my grandfather was a well-known artist in Austria, Germany and Hungary before the communist takeover.
My point was even when we had limited income my father said we need to help those who are less fortunate than we are. He emphasized this all the time as he gave to the Catholic Church 10% of his weekly income. When there was a little left over after groceries and other expenses, he would say let's help the needy and gave to the Red Cross and other reputable charities.
Hence, I grew up witnessing daily kindness and generosity from both my mother and father. I watched and learned that this was the right thing to do, no matter how little we had, we had more than many others and we needed to share.
Fast forward we came to the United States (legally thanks to President Lyndon Johnson). We had to start all over....
My mother was an artist and she tried to be giving and kind to people we got to know. She generously gave her artwork away, because they could not afford to give money or other things to their friends and acquaintances. I saw my mother volunteering to illustrate a poem book for my eight-grade teacher. Sister Norbert was thrilled, my father had to help with translating the meanings of the poems. You get the idea.... Birthdays, Christmas she would paint something to give to someone they received help. I saw her painting on the weekends, because she worked during the week. Most people were thrilled to receive her kind gifts. Some did not get it...
Anyway, I grew up watching and witnessing kindness every day from my parents. It left an impression on me having been affluent, poor and then comfortably living as a middle-class person.
My charities varied in my life but for the past twenty-nine years it has been animal causes and not only do I donate a portion of every commission to animal causes. I support rescue organizations. As those who know me, we had rescue cats and dogs for the past 29+ years and they are our family.
This post was inspired by Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist & Dr. Paula McDonald Active Rain Challenge of witnessing kindness. Thank you both for the inspiration.
Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly!! If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 ( m) homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com I contribute a portion of my commission to local animal rescue organizations. Endre Barath, Jr. Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties DRE#01238708
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