#38. Painful Thought
As I watched MM charm his way deeper into the hearts of Chan, his YaYa, Rog, Chan's neighbors & friends, a painful thought erupted: there's a woman in China who carried and delivered MM--and then, more than likely, she abandoned him at the hospital. I wondered if she had any other choice?? MM could hardly breathe. Did she have the $$ she'd need for his medical bills?? Was it possible for him to grow up healthy & someday support his parents?? What an excruciating, painful decision she had to make! And then I thought of the thousands of new Moms who had and would have to make that same decision. It became overwhelming to me--all that heartache--the helplessness of their situation--the gut wrenching pain.
MM's shrieks of laughter brought me back to the joy that surrounded me. That night I prayed for peace & healing for those Moms and thanked MM's mom. He is such a gift!!
#39 Cutting the Cord & Heading to Costa Rica
It was time to cut the cord. The frig was stocked, wash done, bags unpacked and all the safety gadgets mounted. Chan's safety net of friends were in top gear. Though I had loved being in the middle of it all...it was time to move on...and after discussing the pros & cons...Chan booked us a flight to Costa Rica. We landed in San Juan but took the first bus out to Turriaba. There we hiked through the jungle to Gustavo--the oldest archeological site in CR. Saw the many mounds where houses had been built & the aqueduct system used from 1000AD to 1400 BC still somewhat functioning. Biggest thrill was spotting a lots in a tall tree. Actually a guide pointed him out as we'd never had been able to spot it's dark body clinging to a branch so still among thick leaves...I know Sarah, you are jealous. Also saw a tayra, variety of insects & butterflies. The 150+ in of rainfall here feeds a thick jungle. Tomorrow we hope to wake up early enough to see Turriaba Volcano smoking & venting from the upstairs of the hostel we are in. Not sure where next, that's what Rog is working on now!
#40. The Girl on the Bus
That's be me. I love getting a peek into lives & hearing people chatter as we travel via local bus. Well dressed women with babies & groceries, men in work clothes or suits and students in uniforms. We pass neat, colorful small homes in the midst of a medley of flowers. Each small village boast a church & soccer field. The bus stops often as it climbs & descends the mountains..and people hop on & off greeting each other warmly. I love this "buseye" view!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
