Forever in Debt

In the scriptures we read how we are always in debt to the Lord.  He blesses us, so we repay Him with our gratitude and/or our obedience; but then because we did that, we receive further blessings and are still found "wanting," yet again a "debtor."  Well, I'm experiencing somewhat the same phenomenon here in Japan.

For example, the first experience was when our neighbor brought us some awesome pastries! They were literally to die for.  Well, within a week I thanked her by giving her some American sweets.  But then she soon gave us more goodies, so I then reciprocated.  So she then did likewise!  And then I did so again, followed by her repeating the cycle!  I think she's "one up" on me at this point.

My exercise friend, Junko (pronounced June-ko), has given me at least three t-shirts; and each time I've tried to repay her with American candies or baked goods.  Even when I think I've caught up with her, out of the blue she brings me homemade apple jelly or some Japanese rice crackers or some little trinket.  I totally can't catch up to her!  (Not the best picture, but better than nothing.)

The last "spiraling-out-of-control debt experience" involves the ladies at the park with whom I exercise every morning.  First of all, I believe they got wind of my "lack of wardrobe change." (Who brings more than one exercise shirt when you are allowed only two suitcases for 18 months, right?) when they witnessed my good friend, Junko, giving me some changes of attire.  So, one morning the exercise leader brought me a very nice t-shirt with a matching overblouse to go with it!  I was totally shocked by her gesture!  So in an effort to say thank you to her, the next day I brought her homemade banana bread and brownies.  But then the very next day, four ladies came with a bag of "hand-me-downs" and proceeded to shower me with five more shirts, both for summer and winter.  I then reciprocated the next day by bringing everyone a mint pattie.

All was well.  We're even, or so I felt.  

Well, just last Sunday President and Sister Albrecht were given a bushel of potatoes (right out of the muddy ground) as a farewell gift from one of the members.  Of course, since they left Saturday, they could not use the potatoes, so they passed them off to me to distribute.  I knew I could never use that many, but I did know many ladies at the park who could.  Hence, I went to the park early the next morning (only after washing all the potatoes and plugging my sink!) and hid the box of potatoes in the bushes.  After we were finished exercising, I told them "Chotto matte kudasai!" (Wait a minute, please!).  I then retrieved the hidden bushel of potatoes and about 20 plastic bags and told everyone to dig in.  I naively thought nothing much of it as everyone only got 6 or 8 potatoes each.  To me it was not much of a "gift" at all.

Holy Moly!  The next morning after exercising, a number of them encircled me and showered me with gifts!  I received the following:  a small "back pack/purse that will be perfect for our sightseeing trips, a fanny pack that will be great for my Saturday long walks, a cosmetic bag, a cloth bag, two wash cloths, rice crackers, and a marvelous assortment of origami--two origami boxes with a dozen origami spinning tops and 5 origami decorations (all of which were made with the grandchildren in mind)!  I was so overwhelmed!  I was embarrassed that they had done so much for so little, but I guess I asked for it.  Most of those items are in the picture below as well as all the shirts previously contributed to the "shirt-poor gaijin."

The next morning I brought a big typed Thank You sign in Japanese.  (I think I'll forego gifts from here on out!)  I had the Elders at the office help me with words I did not know.  The trouble was that most of the ladies don't read "Romanji," which is Japanese characters spelled out with our Roman alphabet.  Junko tried to read it to them, but they were so chatty that I believe they didn't understand it all.  Anyway, she took the sign home and planned to translate it back into their very difficult kanji and read it to them the next day.

Anyway, the circle goes round and round.  They give, you thank them in return, and so they give in response to your thanks!  Never-ending circle!  But I guess that's better than a vicious circle, right?

PS  Since posting this post (ha!) I have an update:

Junko just gave me another shirt this morning (a new Izod still in its package) in response to the 40-lb watermelon we gave her on Saturday.  The shirt was another gift to her that was too big, thank goodness.  As for the HUGE watermelon,  an older guy who comes to English class (and to English gospel doctrine, yet he is not a member) gave these HUGE watermelons to us, the Elders, the President, and three to the Ward in general!  Since everyone here had them, I couldn't very well share with any of those people.  Also, Junko has six people living in her house, so I figured she would be the best recipient.  

I emailed her Saturday and told her to call the office.  When she did, a Japanese Elder told her to come to the office with a car.  She showed up on her bike as no one with a car was home.  We hefted the HUGE watermelon (bigger than a basketball) in its box and tied it to her back fender.  She looked pretty wobbly as she, a tiny 90-pounder, took off; but she did say later that she was able to ride all the way home as opposed to having to walk her bike.  This morning we joked about her having watermelon

for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

We estimate the cost of each watermelon to be around $40.  And the donor of all six of these is just a taxi driver!  So far, we are noticing that the Japanese don't count pennies when they give gifts to people.  Like, the first pastries given us by our widowed neighbor, a Church member, must have cost her at least $20.  Maybe because most of them don't have car expenses like we all do, they are more apt to be generous when it comes to gifts.  Who knows?  Amazingly, generous people, the Japanese!