The pleasure of giving?

I don't understand meanness. One of the great pleasures in life is giving. I think those of us who have children all recognise that moment when a child realises that the giving of Christmas presents is (almost!) as much fun as receiving them.

Some of the most generous people I have known have been the poorest. My mother was a case in point; she would - quite literally - give a friend the coat off her back if they happened to like it, and she never had any money. My sister is the same. Handicapped, and living in sheltered accomodation, she has never had her own house, and if she had two brass farthings, she would give them away even before she had time to rub them together.

Thus I was interested to read that the Blairs, who are apparently worth £60m, have charged their son's classmates £10 each towards the coach fare to convey them to an end-of-term party they are holding at their country pile (see above photo). Cars are not allowed, for security reasons.

That's all.

The kindness of strangers

Today, on my (long) round trip to visit my handicapped sister, who has managed to break her leg, and my uncle (the one I've posted about before), I filled up the car with petrol. And discovered that I'd left all my money, credit cards etc. at home.

It was one of those "this can't be happening" moments. I was exactly half-way, my poor sister was expecting me (my uncle no longer expects anyone or anything, but I wanted to see him), and there I was with a full tank but without any means of payment.

I offered my engagement ring as a hostage; I told them I knew my card number and wouldn't that do? No. Apparently it wouldn't

The the man behind me - a total stranger - came forward and offered to pay (nearly £60) for my petrol with his card. I was overwhelmed by this act of trust and generosity, and, oddly, it made my day.

Would I have done the same for someone else? I don't know. I'd like to think I would, but then again, I suppose it would depend. Needless to say, I phoned John right there and then, and asked him to send off a cheque and a thank-you. But tomorrow I shall write a note myself.