I read an article today on Gigi's favorite app, Flipboard. It began with the following quote,
"I have found out that there ain't any surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." - Mark Twain
This is true. And I think it stretches to how you feel about yourself. Traveling is raw and relentless. It tests your grit, exploits your weak points but mercifully, gives you tomorrow to wake up and have another go at it. It sounds a bit like parenting. . .
There are the rainbows. . .
and the wonder.
The horrors that you just can't seem to look away from. Or, if you are Sam, move your head away from!
The sights that make you want to whoop.
The heartbreaks and helplessness.
This horse was skin and bones. She was walking aimlessly down the street by herself. Sam ran to try to get tufts of grass for her which sent her wobbling down the street. When we asked who she might belong to, a couple sitting outside said matter-of-factly, "When people can't afford to feed them any more they let them go."
The possibilities.
We had the honor to go several times this week to a private library non-profit called, "Puedo Leer".
Never as much as when I am traveling, am I aware of how life can go either way.
Gigi poses with a boy who had something about him. (He reminded us of Jonah????) We are rooting that he will have a life that is good to him. This kid was wearing old pink flip flops and of all the kids we were able to give shoes to, he's the one who I will remember.
(Thanks Kevin Swaim's class!)
I am proud of the kids this week.
They traced feet for shoe sizes.
They fit kids for shoes.
When a little boy covered in a dermatological condition that was straight out of a medical textbook presented his little feet to them, they didn't blink.
They fit his feet and rejoiced when the shoes fit.
They read to them.
They looked.
Smelled. Listened.
Sam quietly took a picture of a ravine full of trash.
They stepped over putrid water and remembered every day they couldn't use the tap water. They remembered to greet our amazing friend Julio, and to say goodbye to him, because it means something about dignity to do that here.
They patiently took in the Holy Week proceedings. Gamely running out when a procession would go by. . .
day
or night.
.
Mark Twain also said, "There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist."
I am happy that (we don't hate each other after traveling in close quarters!) these kiddos are not pessimistic. We've thought up a neat idea to continue donating shoes in Nicaragua to the kids showing up at the library centers. Will you help?
Sky is the limit.
Back to Costa Rica tomorrow. We'll be headed to the northern coast to meet Gigi's great friend, Sophia and her family. I am sure Twain is wagging his cigar.
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