Things I’m Looking Forward To
What about you? By the wonderful Grace Farris. P.S. A very low-key summer checklist and a trick for better summer salads. … Read more The post Things I’m Looking Forward To appeared first on Cup of Jo.
JimMin
When I got to the part about your brother, I got such a warm, sunny feeling. How absolutely lovely of you. This will be a life changing gift. And now I want to see his face too!!!
What an epic sister move! You rule, Julie.
This really spoke to me. About 10 years ago my husband and I paid off the debt of someone we love very much. It wasn’t a gigantic debt but it was enough to interfere with this person’s life plans. It made such a difference and wonderful life changes ensued. Even after all this time, I feel it was one of the most impactful things we’ve ever done. Could we have done something else with that money? Absolutely, but nothing would have been as joyful.
Love this awesome generosity. Good for you!
Ok Julie, you got me, crying into my delicious salad. Wow! You are a beautiful and generous soul.
May I ask how did your generosity of spirit toward your siblings come about? Im a mom of three boys and I want that for them.
We talk about St. Thomas Aquinas, a prominent philosopher and theologian, who defined love as “willing the good of the other”. This means that love is not just a feeling, but a conscious choice to act in ways that benefit another person. It’s a deliberate desire to promote their well-being and happiness.
You and your husband epitomize that statement.
Julie, BSE (best sister ever).
25 years ago my husband and I were able to buy our little bungalow house. We still live there. It’s almost paid off. 6 dogs, dozens of hens, 2 cats, 2 girls, and now one baby grandson (while his mama works). We never owned our home when I was growing up, my husband’s family either. All either of us ever wanted was a little bit of security for our own children. My husband’s brother gave us the $6k we were short. I am grateful every single day. Every. Single. Day.
I truly hope you know how immense your generosity is, what it will mean for his future.
And this is what working class people mean when we talk about the lack of generational wealth, and how some folks will never be able to move up because of it. It makes me cry to think how different our whole lives would have been had that $6k not appeared.
I cried when I read the part about your brother. I don’t know your cultural background but where I grew up – upper middle class white people whose immigrant past was 3 plus generations back – these acts of generosity rarely happened or if they did it was with so many strings attached. I married into a middle eastern family where people help each other, as you are doing – it’s what we have to do if we can and how we can (without hurting ourselves of course or enabling). Your brother is so so blessed.
You all are lovely. Honestly, my relationship with my siblings came about organically. I’m the oldest of 3, my sister and I are 17 months apart, my brother is almost 8 years younger. With him i felt maternal towards, I always wanted to be that safe space for him-I also wanted him to like the things I like, hence my heavy metal obsessed brother also adores Tori Amos and horror movies. My mom (a retired hospice nurse) is an empathetic woman to her core and she passed that to us. Andy would give me the money if our roles were reversed.
And I’m Irish Catholic via my great parents, from Philly-my aunts and uncles and cousins are all sarcastic northeast maniacs who would give you the shirt off their back while mocking you for needing it. 😀
-Packing a picnic and visiting a local vineyard with the husband and the dog
-drinks and dinner tonight with a good friend
-hosting a 5th of July party at my house for a bunch of my besties, can’t wait to grill and make zippy side salads and desserts with all the berries
-good tomatoes
-my brother’s face when I hand him a check this weekend. My husband and I decided to pay off his credit card debt to help him buy a house, he’s just my favorite person and being in a postition to take away that burden is such a gift. My mom always says that she’s only as happy as her least happy child and for me that transfers to siblings.
-CARROT CAKE
-reading the new Emily Henry book!