Maite and I have formed as close of a friendship as two people with language barriers and 9AM French classes can form in only a month. I've come to regard her as a constant and reassuring presence here in France.
Last week before our phonetics course she said that it was important for her to give me something before I go and she handed me a 20 centavos piece of Argentinian currency. Not knowing what to say, I just said thank you.
I don't know why I am always like this, but I don't really know how to accept gifts. Ziming said once that I am one of the most thankful people she's ever met and that it seemed to her that she couldn't believe someone would actually want to give me anything. While I don't know if this is true or not, I thought it might be nice to offer Maite something in return.
Since she had given me a piece of her currency, it only seemed fitting that I should do the same although the only piece of American currency I had on me is an Adams dollar my aunt gave me for good luck 3 years ago when I graduated from high school, something that I've kept on me ever since.
After some hesitation, I took the coin from the pocket of my bag where it stays and handed it to Maite telling her, "This has always brought me luck." Having seen the coin earlier and knowing that it was the same one I had told her about, she was on the verge of not accepting it. But it was only when I closed her hand and told her that I hoped it would bring her luck that she well and fully accepted it.
It's strange now to think that the dollar is no longer with me. I like to think though that the coin was meant for her and maybe the luck it brings will come once I return to the United States and she remains in Paris and we see if we keep in contact.
Last week before our phonetics course she said that it was important for her to give me something before I go and she handed me a 20 centavos piece of Argentinian currency. Not knowing what to say, I just said thank you.
I don't know why I am always like this, but I don't really know how to accept gifts. Ziming said once that I am one of the most thankful people she's ever met and that it seemed to her that she couldn't believe someone would actually want to give me anything. While I don't know if this is true or not, I thought it might be nice to offer Maite something in return.
Since she had given me a piece of her currency, it only seemed fitting that I should do the same although the only piece of American currency I had on me is an Adams dollar my aunt gave me for good luck 3 years ago when I graduated from high school, something that I've kept on me ever since.
After some hesitation, I took the coin from the pocket of my bag where it stays and handed it to Maite telling her, "This has always brought me luck." Having seen the coin earlier and knowing that it was the same one I had told her about, she was on the verge of not accepting it. But it was only when I closed her hand and told her that I hoped it would bring her luck that she well and fully accepted it.
It's strange now to think that the dollar is no longer with me. I like to think though that the coin was meant for her and maybe the luck it brings will come once I return to the United States and she remains in Paris and we see if we keep in contact.
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