Comments on: On Houses, Loving Families, and Paying Forwards

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:54:50 +0000

Ali,
Congratulations on you house!! I’m impressed you have such a good ‘un-entitled’ attitude about it. That’s really great, it’s so nice you want to ‘pay it forward’. I would give you a warning about giving to your own children – I sounds like your parents waited long enough that you did not feel ‘entitled’. That is very important. Sometimes its hard to resist giving children everything they want, but it is usually better to wait.

robin

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:26:34 +0000

Thanks very much! I’m really glad you’ve been enjoying my pieces on Dumb Little Man, and hope you stick around here on Aliventures.

I’d say my life is “full” rather than “busy” (though the last month has been, from a combination of factors, a little busier than I’d have liked…)

Good luck with your blog!

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:25:06 +0000

Thanks! We’re really enjoying it; I got my study set up at the weekend and it’s so nice to have a whole room to work in (albeit a small one!) instead of a desk in the corner of our living room.

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:24:30 +0000

Definitely! I usually volunteer to lend a hand with any computer-type tasks (I’m the geek of the family…) and Paul’s always willing to do heavy lifting!

By: J. Dotsom

J. Dotsom — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:48:31 +0000

Hello Ali.
I have read your post on Dumb Little Man and Aliventures for over the past year now. I can tell this post came from your heart. I can also hear the sincerity in it. I truly believe if you sat down with your parents and had a heart to heart with them that they would tell you the exact same thing we all are saying: we believe you are living up to it. You and Paul do deserve what your parents are able to help you with. Do not feel guilty about that. If I can for my children it will be a honor. I am sure your parents feel the same.
I love to read your post. To tell the truth I always check who has written the post first thing, then I read it. : ) I think that is what makes you such a valuable blogger. I do not know you personally however I believe from what I have followed you online your life must be very busy. I hope to hire you to write a post for my blog one day..
Congratulations to you both on th house, enjoy it.
J. Dotson
.-= J. Dotsom´s last blog ..First Post =-.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:43:58 +0000

Sometimes receiving with gratitude is the best repayment that there is. This sounds like a gift that goes both ways. Congratulations on your new house!

By: Julius

Julius — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:15:45 +0000

I can relate to what your main idea is, as I’ve been blessed with a very supportive and caring mother.

I agree that although we can’t repay the kindness and support that our parents and other people as well have given us, we can offer our support in other aspects: helping around the house, being there when they need us, and a whole lot of other simple yet meaningful ways.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..A Day of a Person With Quadriplegia =-.

By: Farouk

Farouk — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:32:30 +0000

i hope that you make the most out of your opportunities Ali, wish you all the best
.-= Farouk ´s last undefined ..Response cached until Sun 4 @ 8:21 GMT (Refreshes in 23.82 Hours) =-.

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:19:29 +0000

Thanks Archan! And great to hear from you.

Yes, I think I’m not a London person at heart. To me, it felt too busy and too big. Sure, there was lots to do and see — but we always had to hop on a train to do so. In Oxford, I can cycle everywhere.

It’s definitely a big boon being near the University. We’re hoping to go and see an open air performance of the Tempest at Wadham College this summer, and Paul’s going to get access to the Bodleian library.

Thanks for all your prayer and good wishes, much appreciated!

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:17:23 +0000

Great point! I think I have trouble with the concept of grace at times… I feel like things “should” be deserved. But you’re totally right. I guess my way to respond is to try to demonstrate grace in action in my relationships with others.