 |
| Mom, Dad, and I on Easter last year (cant believe this was over a year ago, wow!!) |
As most of you know, I am an only child. As a result of this, while I was growing up all of my parent’s attention was on me. I got all of the praise but also all of the lectures, all of the joy but also all of the worry. Growing up as an only child was something I always enjoyed (I do like my alone time a lot, and I am very close to my mom and dad) but never thought too much about. After being here in Chimbote, where it is normal for a family to have 6 children (and live with their parents until they are 35), I am often asked how many brothers and sisters I have, and every time it is the same response….
Other person: So how many brothers and sisters do you have??
Me: None, I am actually an only child.
Other person: (Huge gasp) Seriously?? Really?? Wow, your parents must really have a hard time with you being here. I would never let my only child go to another country. (Another gasp). REALLY?? I can’t believe it. Wow. You must miss them a lot too after having all of their attention for your whole life.
And so I go on smiling and laughing and nodding, while inside thinking “Actually, yeah, it is really hard to be away from my parents who are also two of my best friends.” And I know it was really hard for my parents to let me come also (thanks again mom and dad for letting me follow this missionary vocation!! I love y’all).
What I have found in this vulnerability though, is a whole new source of family here in Peru. Every morning Señora Flor and Señora Cata make me hot coffee and a warm breakfast roll before I leave to go out into the community for Hospice. I have lunch with my three other amazing community mates where we share funny stories and doubts and sadness and joy. I kiss my cat between the ears before snuggling down with her for a nap. I go to the parish for a theatre meeting and walk into a room full of the parish youth group who have so much energy, excitement, and love for each other. I am greeted by the smiling faces of the old couple that run the corner store that I visit every evening to buy bread. I give a big hug to Axel, the 4 year old boy next door, and lift him up in my arms and spin him before walking into our house. We go to the Sisters house to pick up a package, and end up drinking coffee, playing board games, and talking for hours. When I am sick, Kelli makes me soup, Emily makes me laugh, and Kyle sits with me in the clinic for hours by my side. At the end of the day, we sit on my bed and read a story or recount our days before saying “Buenas noches!!” and crawling into bed.
I would have to say that while nothing will ever compare to my family back home, these people have a very special place in my heart. And while I know I am not their “only”, I know I have a special place in theirs as well.
|
|
| A birthday party we had for one of the youth at our house, the group is the parish theatre group TEFA |
|
|
A picnic we took with Sister Sofie and Sister Leonela
|
|
|
| Part of my Hospice family on Juanitas birthday..... Elisabeth, Edward, Juanita, me, Janet, Mary, and Johany. |
 |
| Our community on a day trip to the highlands..... Emily, me, Kyle, and Kelli. |
 |
| And finally, the cats....... |
 |
| ...... who are obviously a huge part of our life here. maybe too huge?? hahah |
