You`re Welcome

I`ve had a lot to say thank you for as of late, and I`ve found that (as in English) there are many, diverse ways to respond to a simple "thank you."  Some I like more than others.  You`ve got the nonchalant sort: "no prob," "don`t worry about it," "don`t mention it"; the gleeful kind: "sure," "anytime"; and the formal sort: "my pleasure," "you`re very welcome." 

Words are just words; we attribute meaning to them, so it shouldn`t matter how you say it, but I like the latter sort the best.  This way one aknowledges the favor or service provided, accepts the recipient`s gratitude, and expresses one`s willingness to have served.  Rather than casting it aside de nada (it`s nothing/no prob), one recognizes that it was actually something while almost inviting you to feel free to do so again.  It`s rather nice.

Colombians have hospitality figured out; precisely why I end up saying thank you so much.  Upon arrival in Cali, two travel buddies and I were taken in by a friend`s family, provided a bed, breakfast and sometimes lunch, and a place we were told to call home for five whole days.  Geovanny (the friend) ushered us around by car, by bus, and on foot to all the different events of the feria.  We saw parks, markets, malls, bull fights, live concerts, salsa dancing, you name it.  A family I met in Bogotà also had me picked up one night so we could stroll the streets and enjoy a most delicious homemade pasta dinner.  They even tried to buy me some clothes considering I arrived to the hot coast of Cali with only my Chicago luggage (got locked out of my apartment due to forgetting my keys...oops), but I simply couldn`t accept.  And then today a nice family we`ve never before met held umbrellas over our heads and watched our backs for pocket thieves as we watched a parade in Pasto.  They then made a special clearing for us to cross the street and safely accompanied us to our hotel.  Allllll of this was done out of sheer goodness in their hearts.  Sounds cheesy, but really, I never once asked for help or extra service.  It was just offered.

The most hospitable people in the world however are your parents.  The vast majority of their time is spent in providing favors for their kids and the ones they love.  I happen to know of one new set of parents who I`m sure will do the same for their new son, my nephew:  Thomas William Freyman.  He already has a lot to be thankful for as they graciously welcome him into their world.  And again it`s all done in the name of love and goodness, not expecting anything in return, except, maybe, one day, a "thank you."