Eva remembered the words from an old Czech Christmas jingle, still popular among the Czechs, with the concept of receiving, and not particularly appreciating, “vanocka” or Christmas bread – and giving it to a cat (hence the jingle, “vanocka pro kocku”). We both agreed that our Czech friend’s, Liba’s, vanocka, that she kindly sent us, was far, far too good to give to, or even share with, a cat.
Sharing Christmas Bread with the Family Cat
However, it did bring to my mind freezing cold, snowy winter days in the Czech Republic. And I could just picture a loving mother, as she was preparing vanocka for her family. Then, having the joy of taking out the freshly baked vanocka from the oven, she may well have let the family cat enjoy a few small pieces of the delicious bread out of her love and kindness. It’s the showing of kindness and love even to animals! And the lovely, darling cat was a part of the family after all.
Love, Generosity, Goodness Shown to Two Foreigners
My wife, Eva, and I have fond memories of a special New Year’s evening in the small Czech village of Smrzov where we lived. It was after dark on the 31st of December, and Eva and I walked over to a farmer’s house, which had a huge, tall gate. We timidly rang the bell. Before long, a rough, gruff voice was heard in the dark night: “Who’s there?” Humbly, with a little trembling and hesitation, we replied “Alex and Eva. Sousedi (meaning neighbours)”. The gruff voice melted into kindness.
“Come in” he said, as he opened the giant gate. We were then made so welcome by the family – pan Valenta (Mr. Valenta), his wife, her aged mother, and two teenage children (Helena and Marek). No prior arrangements. We just came on the spur of the moment, though they had previously told us to visit one day.
We were led to their warm living room, well heated by a large coal and wood-burning stove. Before long we were served sausages with bread, offered beer, and then given strong coffee and cake.
There we were – just sitting and talking together as the clock ticked away towards midnight, enjoying the conversation. No TV, or other media distractions, or even playing cards or games.
It was their kindness, generosity, and love to Eva and me – who were, after all, strangers that came in the evening – that I will always remember and cherish.
What Truly Counts in Life
These qualities of the mind – love, generosity, goodness – I think are what really count in life, and what we take with us as we journey to our next life.
Everything physical that we might want to cling on to, grab, and be possessive about will all have to be given up when it’s time to leave this existence.
When we “open our suitcases on the other side”, may they be filled with the love, generosity, virtue, and goodness we have attained in this life. Sadly, some might find their suitcases filled with items of little value.
Written by Alexander Peck; edited by Eva Peck.
People who have riches end up stingy. Give to others without any bias …
If we have some wealth or material things, often we get miserly at the same time. We need to give to others without bias.
If we can give with a good heart, even just a little bit, it is very important to do so.
If we have wealth and material things, we need to put them to use in ways that will help others and ourselves, and we need to do this impartially.
(Thrangu, Khenchen. Advice from a Yogi: An Explanation of a Tibetan Classic on What Is Most Important. 2015.)
