Ripples

     While I hang clothes, towels, curtains and sheets on the green wires we’ve strung across the roof, I squint in the sun’s glare despite the sunglasses I’m wearing.  I keep my mouth shut and look down so as to avoid eating dust carried by the wind.  I notice the ripples of dust along the cement near my feet.  I think about the ripples of the bean fields at home on windy days, the ripples in the water when skipping stones (something I’ve never been particularly good at) and then I think about the ripple effect of our actions and how positive behaviors create a ripple of hope with positive reactions and in turn more positive actions; yet, negative behaviors do the opposite. 

     Despite having had a few rough days, there have been moments that have brightened my days.  A wise person once said, “Never get tired of doing little things for others. Sometimes, those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.” 

     I love it that Doña María, an elderly woman that spends each day watching the traffic pass by as she sits outside her home, always greets me and blesses me when I walk past her corner.  The other day, my mother-in-law brought us a bunch of delicious red grapes from a rural community that she’d visited.  The following morning, Igor’s dad prepared oatmeal for us, so that we would have more time to eat breakfast.  We got a letter from home!  Mail is always appreciated.  A doctor offered Igor a few minutes of his time to give him a few pointers on his thesis.  And today, my friend Sarah showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a pot of violets for me just to visit and catch up.  Those are the beautiful parts of our last few days.  And last but not least, I just found out that my application for residency has been approved!  One more step down :)