I had a dream this morning after a sleepless night, one which has made me a bit sad. I dreamt that very suddenly I made the decision to go back to Canada. I found myself in a big city, something quite foreign after the peaceful tranquility of where I am now staying. There was not much to the dream, I only remember walking down the busy street wondering what I was going to do. I had no destination, no plans, and I was worried about the family I had just left because I did not say good-bye. It would have been too painful.
When I woke up I was wondering what would have made me dream this, is it a possibility, or am I just facing my fear of leaving. It would also be my fear of going home with no plan, empty handed so to speak. I suppose it is a reality, one of the possibilities my future holds. So my day started with a bit of melancholy, a bit of sadness, but the way a day starts does not mean it has to finish the same way, or so I learned.
It is Father’s Day and so the whole family is here to celebrate. I thought perhaps I should stay out of the way, not intrude on this day which seems of great importance to them. While I ate my meal Javier came to sit with me and chat. Before I left, he asked if I would take some pictures of the family, in particular his Mom and Dad. Of course I was happy to do this for them.
I was in my room working on this story when I noticed most of the family was at the swimming pond, and realized this was a great opportunity to get some candid shots. There was much laughter and many smiles while they splashed and played. I felt happy to be part of this moment in time.
Once the girls had had their fill of swimming and had dried off and warmed up, they gathered in my room, a perfect opportunity for a colouring session. So out came the crayons, water color pencils and paintbrushes and paper. My bed was covered in paper and crayons, smiling children all around it, and I felt my sadness disappear as I absorbed their happiness.
After a few hours, they had had enough of sitting, it was time to be outside playing. It seemed a game of tag was about to begin, and if I thought I would be able to stay behind and just watch from the sidelines, I had another thing coming. Caught up in the giggles, racing around like a crazy person, off I went chasing and being chased. I tended to be “It” quite often, they were fast!!! Maria caught us on video, so there is proof out there that you are never too old to play tag.
As if that was not enough (ahh to be young and full of energy again), they decided it was time to play soccer now. So off we went to the back of the restaurant to play soccer. We walked past all the sane adults who were calmly eating their dinner, and although I can’t remember ever playing soccer before, here I was getting a crash course. Even Mali joined in. She made a couple of great interceptions and saves for the girls team. Go Mali go…..I think we won, but in saying that it is only fair to explain the boys team only had two players while we had seven, plus Mali. A bit lopsided, I know, but it was really just about having fun, which I think we all did.
Abel lost his shoe twice, the last time it went into the fish pond directly behind the playing field. Mali saved the day on that one, because she thought it was a stick floating in the water and jumped in to get it. The problem was the shoe was just out of reach in the middle of the pond and Abel couldn’t reach it even with the longest bamboo pole. So when Mali jumped in she created a wave which pushed the shoe close enough to pull out with the pole. When Mali got to the shoe she realized this was not a stick and disappointment clearly showing on her face, turned around and swam back to shore. But she still rescued the shoe in a round about way.
I took some family pictures once everyone was finished dinner and before the sun went down for the night. We pushed it a bit with the dying light, but still managed to get all the groupings.
It was time for cake and then a bit of dancing, and off everyone went to their perspective homes. The day was over, some of the family members had a long drive home on crazy mountain roads. Also school begins at 6:00 am here (can you imagine??), so the rise and shine time comes fast on a week day. After hugs and thank you’s I also found my way back to my home away from home, the silence ringing in my ears. The sadness from my morning dream gone, a peaceful contentment taking it’s place.
The unexpected, always makes for a good story……
0 Comments