"Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for." - Immanuel Kant
A journey towards generosity often begins with a gentle nudge, as it did for my husband and me at the hands of his Aunt Yvonne. In a lighthearted moment at a family wedding, her simple inquiry about spare rooms set us down a path we never anticipated. With a house already brimming with life's miscellany, we found ourselves saying "yes" to more than we knew. It was our enthusiastic-but-not-well-thought-out “yes” to the “UU for U for U” initiative—Universalist Unitarians for United for Ukraine—that brought Nikita, a young Ukrainian refugee, into our home and into our lives.
The presence of Nikita has been a gift that has stretched the seams of our home with the fullness of new experiences and perspectives. It's in the daily rhythms of shared meals, laughter, and even the silent solidarity of tackling a mountain of immigration paperwork that we find our gratitude growing. John's efforts to navigate the labyrinthine immigration process with Nikita have been a labor of love, though not without its trials, as they leap through hoops neither had imagined.
In the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, we find a profound truth: "We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without." Our spare room, once a combination home office and pickle pantry, has become a shelter to someone in need of safety. We've found happiness in the doing, the loving, and the hoping, as we integrate the rich tapestry of Nikita's culture and stories into our daily lives. Simone Weil once said, “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” Having an additional person to share our lives with has helped us feel the truth of those words.
As we continue to share our journey, one need has emerged clearly: Nikita could greatly benefit from the independence that a bicycle would provide. This is a call to our community, an opportunity to extend the generosity that is so much a part of our fabric. If you can contribute in this way, know that it would be a cherished act of support, deeply felt and gratefully received.
In this month of giving thanks and embracing the spirit of generosity, let us reflect on the abundance within and around us. May the wisdom of thinkers like Kant and Wesley inspire us to be generous with our time, our resources, and our hearts. May we all know the joy of purpose, the love of community, and the hope that comes from making a difference—one act of kindness at a time.
In a spirit of sharing,
Rebecca Jewell
