ffq-lar 3,600 Report post Posted December 21, 2014 I'll try to make this short. Over ten years ago Dennis (who makes and sells plans for a machine that grinds mirrors for telescopes) was contacted by a young man from Trujillo, Peru who ordered plans so he could make a mirror and then his own telescope. Jorge was poor, a student, and eager to learn. Over time they became email buddies and friends. When Jorge couldn't find a mirror blank (a thick piece of glass which can be ground and polished to use in a telescope) Den found one and sent it to Peru. The corrupt officials need bribes to deliver any items, especially from outside the country and it cost Jorge quite a bit to get the blank. It had been opened and a huge gouge was found on the back. Luckily it didn't affect the other side so Jorge ground his mirror. While Jorge would be considered middle-class in Peru (his extended family of five shared a three-room mud-brick house with electricity and water) he had trouble saving enough and continuing classes. Dennis would send him money a couple of times a year. I know---red flags! But Jorge sent pictures, small gifts, and it made us feel good that $100 would let the family have some luxuries they couldn't afford. That amount is almost a month's wages in Trujillo. His girlfriend became pregnant, delivered a little girl, and they named her Linda Nicole. Wow. Two years later they added a little boy to their family. Named Dennis. We were honored and laughed that we now had grandchildren! Jorge sent us a link to a youtube today showing little Dennis graduating from Kindergarten and being elected "el Presidente" of his class. So cute! The school system is very structured and the kids wear caps and gowns. We get lots of photos of cultural celebrations with the kids and family. Jorge asked today if we would consent to being the kids godparents. They're Catholic and it's a serious and sobering commitment in the Church. I guess we really are grandparents! Just thought I'd share our favorite Christmas story for this year. What a great feeling to connect with people from far away. 26 Zora, quiltingjoyful51, gardenslug and 23 others reacted to this Quote Linda Rech Finely Finished Quilts Millennium on Bliss rails--hand-guided http://www.topperquilttools.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apylinski 97 Report post Posted December 21, 2014 What a wonderful heartfelt story Linda. Especially at this time of the year. Bless you and Dennis for helping Jorge and his family out all these years! 2 aleksich and ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Ann Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neher-in-law5 253 Report post Posted December 21, 2014 Great story, are you saving your pennies for a trip to see the "grands" now. I hope so. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quilting Heidi 1,398 Report post Posted December 21, 2014 Awe Linda what a great story! Just goes to show that sometimes you just have to take a chance on people and go with your heart! I love when the heart wins!!!! 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Quilting 4 U http://community.webshots.com/user/merrih2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enchanted Quilting 885 Report post Posted December 21, 2014 Goosebumps!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meg 493 Report post Posted December 21, 2014 What a great story....I needed that today. Imagine how many missed opportunities there are for those of us who run from 'red flags'? Good for you, Grandma Linda! Quote Meg "Do small things with great love." Mother Teresa "Life's too short to fuss with thread." Meg Fazio http://theonewiththreadsonherclothes.blogspot.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/megfazio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pat C 204 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 What an awesome story! There are so many good people in this world and these are the stories that we need to hear about. God bless you and Dennis. The family in Peru sounds like a wonderful family also. I hope you can all meet some day. Quote Pat C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Janice 22 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 What a nice story. It is very heartwarming knowing you have helped someone. Bless you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zora 317 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 How nice to be asked to be godparents. We were stand-ins for godparents who were unable to attend the Christening..or is it Baptism for the Catholic church. Anyway, it was a nice ceremony and we were honored to fill in even though we are not of that faith. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
On Pins and Needles 36 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 What a lovely Christmas story! 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote 2009 Millennium...loving the M&M wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbnt9999 82 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 What an inspiration ! Thank you for uplifting my day. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Betty Ann Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BethDurand 350 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 What a great story, and how wonderful to see good things in the world. Thank you for sharing. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Beth Durand Elizabeth Originals Custom Quilting www.eocquilting.com beth@eocquilting.com 2006 APQS Millenium Authorized APQS Dealer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey 386 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 That is love, thanks for sharing Linda. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Corey Starkey IQ & Bllissed Millennium Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoryJM 76 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 Such a great story!! So glad it has a happy...not ending...happy continuing??? 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Dorothy MillerAPQS Sales Representative Crazy Horse Quilting Sequim, WA http://www.crazyhors...g.blogspot.com/ To Ride or Not to Ride...what a stupid question!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K. Szymaszek 357 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 I think that is the number 1 feel good story of the season. Awesome 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K. Szymaszek 357 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 I think that is the number 1 feel good story of the season. Awesome Oops I hit post twice sorry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peglu 83 Report post Posted December 22, 2014 This is so awesome! It restores my faith in humanity that there are kind, generous people out there who will do what they can with no expectations. And this time, Dear Linda, you have been rewarded with a wonderful friendship! Good for you! Merry Christmas. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonbon 50 Report post Posted December 23, 2014 You two really are wonderful and giving folks. Glad to know you. 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sharond 107 Report post Posted December 23, 2014 Congratulations! Wouldn't it be wonderful to see them all in person! 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Sharon Dimberg APQS Dealer, Quilt Design, Piecing, Long Arm Quilting quirkyquilting@comcast.net Quirky Quilting by Sharon APQS Millennium Sew Batik Associate #1049 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tamarack 343 Report post Posted December 23, 2014 Lovely story Linda, thanks for sharing! Quote Kathy Schwartz Tamarack Shack Longarm Quilting Blog http://tamarackshack.blogspot.com/ Website http://www.tamarackshack.ca/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chickenscratch 1,136 Report post Posted December 23, 2014 Isn't life wonderful sometimes? 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Sweet T's Custom Quilting Finley, TN (731)-445-6411 sweet_t_quilting@yahoo.com http://sweettsquilting.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/SweetTsQuilting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CindyT 394 Report post Posted December 24, 2014 You just made my day! Thanks for sharing a feel-good life story with us and showing us that taking a chance can sometimes lead to better things! I hope someday you may cross paths in person! God Bless you and Dennis! 1 ffq-lar reacted to this Quote Cindy Thompson (My perfect quilting combo...Milli and Quiltazoid) Chrome Top Quilts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
