MY SIR GALLAHAD

Since I began this blog, I've focused on our move to Germany, life in Munich, our travels, and social commentary about the United States and Germany. Today, I would like to veer off the above topics, for just a moment, and draw your attention to the man in my life, my husband.

Image by allie mellinger via Flickr

When I first met my husband it was at a party island where boaters docked and basically partied all weekend. I went to Putt-in-Bay with my sister for the day, and we brought an elderly co-worker with us. Moments after first meeting my soon-to-be husband, I noticed that he had disappeared along with our elderly friend. It wasn't until they returned an hour or so later that I learned that she was diabetic and needed to eat, so he took her to dinner at a restaurant on the island.

His concern for a total stranger had a great impact on me. It was one of the reasons I later married him.

Over the years, his kindness, empathy, and generousity has never faltered. If he sees anyone in need, he is the first to offer his assistance. I have seen him seek out the elderly to help them with their luggage in airports, open doors, and stow away their bags on airplanes. I've watched him tote baby strollers up and down steps in train stations. I've even seen him, to my utter amazement, give up a business class seat to a harried mother with a crying baby in her arms.

He is selfless, always thinking of others; once again, the reason I married him.

I could go on about his significant acts of selflessness. How he has shown such generousity and caring for me, my sons, and now our grandchildren, but he would be very uncomfortable at my mentioning these acts of kindness. We all love him, so it is natural that we would want to praise his good qualities.

So, why do am I telling you all of this? It is so you will fully understand the next photos. Without the back story, you would only see a man holding an umbrella over a woman with a microphone caught in the rain while trying to interview a man for a Munich TV station.

What makes these photos so special is that no one asked him to shield her from the rain; he simply noticed a woman in need and without a second thought, offered her his umbrella. He even stood next to her during the interview so she would remain dry. That's my Sir Gallahad!