Jolly Good!
On the Friday I bid farewell to Houston, I road-tripped it with my parents to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
Joey and Rachel’s wedding was beautiful, joyful, and a spectacular reunion. Of course VERT was well-represented, and Vic caught the garter… probably because Ross wasn’t there to do the honor. The bouquet was caught by yours truly- I’ve just deleted my pessimistic comment in favor of a more hopeful one. This is a sign of a time to come; when I move back to
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! One day at a time. First stop,
Please accept my apologies for the delay. This
It was during the morning break when I got off the boat, and before I could step off the pier, kids had recognized me and were running to greet me with a hug. Any apprehension I previously felt, thinking they resented me for abandoning them in their time of need, evaporated immediately. My legs were swarmed with smiling children and my heart burst with joy and love as I shouted out their names in excitement. There they were! Vilma, Gladys, Yessica, Maria Alejandra… arm in a cast, but looking well. I was a bit surprised to see the eager faces of Pulula and Naomi happy to see me. Didn’t I used to punish them quite severely?
And then I saw her. My baby. My Floridalma. Time slowed down as I took in the moment. Her hair was longer, but the rest of her didn’t grow much. I picked up her tiny body and swung her around; the sound of her adorable laugh made me want to cry and laugh and sing, but mostly wrap my arms around her and never let go. There were more joyful greetings. The Niñas Grandes asked, “Y Lizzy?” The Verones Grandes wanted to know, “Cuando viene ‘Buenos Tiempos’?” They don’t forget, not even the Pequeñas, and it means a lot when the volunteers return. I wanted, more than anything, to let them know that they are loved tremendously.
Since August of last year, much had changed at the orphanage. I would rather not talk politics or of my frustrations, because, despite the fact that life is tough, especially in the poverty-stricken areas of rural
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
P.S. I seriously contemplated sneaking Flori into the States (buying fake papers, registering her in school as my daughter, somehow avoiding felony charges), but resisted the urge and instead took advantage of the two weeks that flew by way too fast. We were swimming in the river, Flori riding on my back, when I submerged to make for the ladder that leads to the top of the pier. My internal compass was out of whack (shocker), and I am swimming off in some crazy direction before I surface for air. Flori is cracking up, asking where in the world I’m taking her, and thus begins the story that never gets old. To her, it was a classic, “Remember that time when…” story, and each time retold I was heading for some place further and further away- Cuatro callos, Fronteras, Buenos Aires… if I could have managed it, of course, I would have piggy-backed her all the way to the United States.
Every destination on an itinerary is an oyster ready to be cracked open to reveal a mysterious treasure- a million pearls waiting to be discovered, admired, and cherished. Each adventure offers an abundance of experiences that overwhelm the senses: the breathtaking view of the mountains winding through rural Guatemala, the fragrant, wet scent of Spring time when the flowers burst into bloom in England, the sad melody of the accordion echoing down a narrow street in Italy, the blend of a dozen different spices dancing on the tongue after a bite of Indian curry, the rush of wind and excitement on the skin as a local Irishman twirls you to the beat of the Caleighd band drums. Not all experiences are positive, but even the disappointments, the sad realities, frustrations and loneliness enrich the travel and make it perfect. Above all, the most important aspect and greatest gain in expanding one’s horizon is the relationships made.
I have friends, children, mothers, priests, boyfriends, mentors, angels, Confirmation kids, sisters, brothers, confidants, drinking buddies… all over the world! My travels from April to June are to revisit these people who will forever have a special place in my heart. The rest of June to November is reserved for making space to cram a few more people in mi corazon. New places, new flavors, new relationships. My life will be forever changed- by the people who have already impacted me in such a powerful way and the new friends to cross my path and leave their mark on this journey.
Want to see where I'll be living? Go to http://maps.google.co.uk and type in Bull Lane or Gerrards Cross. St. Josephs Catholic Church is on Bull Lane in the town Gerrards Cross. I don't know much about it except that it's a wealthy area, about 2,000 families make up the community of St. Josephs, and Scotsman David Priest lives just up the road on Chalfont, St Giles. I'm excited to bring my crazy American spirit overseas once again to the Motherland to encourage and inspire the wee ones to seek God in their lives. England doesn't know what's coming...
December first and nineteen days until I'm reunited with the land of Unity. But more importantly, the ones I love the most. You know who you are. No, random guy who accidentally stumbled upon my blog in search of animal porn, not you.
A good deal of bartering will take place within the short weeks of my holiday. The saying, "you don't know what you've got until it's gone" has never rang so true until I realized the UK does not supply ranch dressing. A tragedy, I know. However, the chocolate here is fantastic and far superior to the monopoly of American chocolate in your neighborhood grocery store. Also, Sudoku is a game that blows crossword puzzles out of the water. Not only are they A)possible, but B)skill measurable by speed.
Upon my second visit to England, I was made aware that my Christmas traditions were inadequate by the mortified stares when I said I didn't know what a Christmas popper was. Apparently, to complete the holiday of the birth of Christ, it's necessary to take a toy, wrap it up in a spring and tissue paper that forms a large candy-looking object, and then two people pull at the two ends in competition for the surprise inside. As enlightened as they thought they made me, it was I who introduced them to the Bud light radio commercial, Real Men of Genius. www.budlight.com
On that note, here's to you Mr. Tea drinking Queen enthusiasts.