A Moment of Pondering

Marvin Esteva

Proud Parents

Home for Seven

A drizzly Sunday afternoon lends itself to pondering next steps to continue all that life is bringing to children in our village. As I prepare further announcements, pending press releases, etc. to push forward, my mind often roams to recent memories that reinforce all that we do. My last full day in the village, just last Monday (wow!!!) was spent partially in the daycare but the true goal was to bring the rest of the Maine contingency to the home of a family so that they would better understand from whence our children come and go each day. Of course it involved a short drive on rough terrain. Then the car was left at the bottom of a rocky hillside as we progressed on foot a short but steep distance and then into the lush jungle-like footpath that led to the home of 7. I, of course, immediately began playing with the children, after quick introductions of my followers to Mom and Dad. The group of 3 approached cautiously and respectfully, being given full access to photos and open doorways into the single, dark, dirt floored room by the parents. I clicked photos, spoke with the children, and faded into the background not wanting to influence perceptions. I moved closer to Maria Elena and the parents to listen to the father expressing his gratitude for the project. His wife stood nearby, nursing the youngest. She tearfully spoke of the pride she felt in being able to help her family. Both she and her husband are now able to work cutting wood for sale and planting corn for harvest, which they gladly do together. She nodded to share her pride in being able to buy a wooden table and bed for her family to sleep on rather than the usual dirt floor. As I packed the final items the following morning to leave this village, I asked Maria Elena and Anthony to take the few limpiras I had left and to buy three loads of wood from this family. Their pride would be intact, they would be rewarded for their hard work, and another poor family could receive the wood to cook for their family. The true roots to everything we do, dignity intact. The day's effects are yet to be fully understood. I hope to have access to sharing them soon.