Infectious Kindness

I just got back from a flower shop in Trastevere.  The florist only spoke Italian, which made in an interesting "conversation." I went in armed with one Italian phrase that I was told to say to send flowers but the exact meaning I don't know.  After 20 minutes of drawing pictures, throwing around English and Italian words and trying the old speaking slower and louder in hopes of being understood, I walked out of the flower shop not very confident that my mission was successful. I can just hope and wait.  

I went there to send flowers to the Mimun family who has hosted Becca and me for 2 shabbat meals.  They are some of the nicest people I have ever met.  After generously opening their home to 2 students they had never met, they have continuously show us the upmost kindness.  My first visit was arranged by Chabad minutes before shabbas my first week in Rome.  When we arrived at their house late after getting lost, they were waiting on their porch scanning the streets to locate us and help us find our way in.  When they found out I am vegetarian, Mrs. Mimun pulled tons of food out of their fridge and loaded my plate with my own special meal.  The night concluded by 2 of the boys walking Becca and I to our separate apartments. Mine is a 50 minute walk from their apartment. 

We went back last shabbat for lunch and this time they prepared plenty of vegetarian food (for me and another guest). After lunch, they offered us leftovers to take back with us.  During my entire year in Israel, I invited myself for countless shabbat meals. The only people to offer me food to take home were my cousins Shmuel and Orly Kresh who rival the Mimuns for the kindness award. 

I am so appreciative to have met such warm and generous people here.  Being so far from home and all things familiar, it has helped so much to have met the Mimuns.  They truly make me want to be nicer and better.  There is something infectious about genuine kindness.  The world is an exponentially better place for the generosity and kindness of people like the Kreshes and Mimuns.