Jonny, Degetu and I at her wedding to Shai Nachman, January 2010
Check out this photo. My husband, Jonny, and I were at the wedding of our unofficially adopted daughter, Degetu Mamo, three years ago. And last month, she gave birth to her second child, Omer, an entirely cute boy. Her first child is an entirely cute girl named Inbar. I would have included a photo of the kids but I couldn’t get the thingamajig to work for me.
So what does this have to do with the tool for Tuesday? Everything. Because my husband, Jonny, and I met Degetu about 13 years ago and took her into our lives. She was born in Ethiopia and moved to Israel when she was about 12. She grew up in a village in Gondar Province, Ethiopia, and knew when it was time to go to school by the way the shadows fell off the trees. She now works as a computer systems analyst at Bank HaPoalim.
It’s one of my favorite paradoxes: the more you give away, the more you reap. The more you step out of yourself and your own feelings of emptiness, the more you fill your own well.
Tool for Tuesday: Think of something you can do for someone or something else. The more you give away, the more you get back in return.
DIANA BLETTER 
I totally agree! I recently participated in an afternoon of giving away “free hugs”. What an amazing experience. If you haven’t tried, I highly suggest it. We made signs (The best gift of all is a free hug) and stood outside of a Walmart. The smiles, warmth and happiness that were unleashed were incredible! It was a win- win for both of us!
Diana, you’ve been making a difference one person at a time, keep passing it forward!
Totally. 100% in agreement. What a wonderful daughter and she has wonderful parents.
Thanks, Julia! I’m sure in your work as a hospice nurse you also get to give a lot of warmth and goodness away.
You always encourage me, Diana! I’m sure Degetu thinks you encourage her too. 🙂
Thank you, Tracy! The feeling is mutual–you encourage me. So does Degetu. I am in awe over what she has accomplished in her life.