Since Liam’s birth, we’ve been humbled by the generosity and kindness of our family and friends. We are blessed to have such a supportive group of people surrounding us.

In addition to the wonderful gifts, outfits (and diapers, God bless you for those) and such, we received a packaged today that was rather unexpected. My parents, who still live in Ohio, have some truly incredible neighbors. A few years back my mother and father befriended the young couple that moved in next door, and have since become close to them as their family has grown. My mother helps out with their children when they need it, and it makes me unbelievably happy that they both are such good company for each other.

When the family found out that we were pregnant, they showed up at my parents house with a slew of baby-related stuff for us to borrow indefinitely…bassinets, pack-n-plays, swings, etc. Hundreds of dollars of stuff that we did not have to register for since most are only used for such a short time. I was stunned at their unselfishness and likely will never get to fully express my gratitude, since I’ve only met them in passing once or twice.

And yet today on our doorstep arrived a large package from their address. While visiting relatives in China, they bought welcome gifts for Liam. And they included in the package some real oolong tea for me. For all I know it could the Tetley’s of China, veritable sawdust passing as tea leaves. But the fact that it’s from China, and the box is all beautiful and authentically Chinese makes it way cooler than anything I’ve ever seen.

These people don’t even know me, yet because they love my parents they continue to extend their friendship to my wife, my son and myself. This kindness of relative strangers is so overwhelming, and it helps dilute some of the inherent cynicism that seems to run through my brain these days.

As soon as Liam can understand it, I’m going to teach him about the Zhao’s, their charity, and what it means to be a good friend. I hope we both can live up to that model.