First Thanksgiving in Brazil...
The Land of Firsts is a
strange place. Just about the time when you think you’ve got things almost
figured out… the Land of Firsts throws you a curve ball.
Now, you have to
understand…this “Region” of the Land of Firsts is packed full of first things. And
honestly, there is no way to begin to list all the “Firsts” that I have
encountered in this month since I left the USA. Every day is filled with “Firsts”.
The “Firsts” of foods, for example.
About the only thing that is not “new” is
rice and beans, and even then it’s prepared differently. Not a problem, I could eat rice and beans
every day and not get tired of it. But there is plenty that is new. And not
only that, but now I need to learn how to cook at that new food!!
There was the first time
going grocery shopping… how do you know what to buy when you don’t even know
what to fix?!
And of course the first
week in my new house… still getting settled, finding out what I still need to
get for the house… .lot’s of “Firsts.”
The first time to use my new washing machine. First time putting my
clothes on the line to dry. Cooking my first meals. The list could go on and
on.
Yet, despite the many “Firsts”
and many challenges, I feel very much at home here in this new land. Of course
those who know me know that I am LOVING the warm weather. The folks here are
complaining because it is so hot, and I’m enjoying it immensely.
The life and vitality of
the people and of the church are infectious, and at each worship service, I feel so much
at home. There will be those times when the challenges will be more intense,
but there is a peace I have at this point of just being here… feels like home.
Even with the neighbor's rooster crowing in my back yard...
Today as I write this, it
is Thanksgiving back home. Family and friends are preparing for their
Thanksgiving get-togethers. I had thought about trying to make a Thanksgiving
dinner here, but the time just did not allow it. So it was nice when I was
invited to a neighbor’s house. Actually a couple in the church that live just
two doors down from me. They were having a baptism for a woman in the church
who has terminal cancer. The doctors have told her there is no cure, no
treatment, and they can only help her manage the pain. It was a sweet time as
family and friends gathered in the back of the house and the pastor baptized her
in a large plastic tub.
That is when the surprise
came. I was overcome with the memories of Marilou’s last days. It was all I could do to blink away my tears.
The peace in this sister's countenance reminded me of the peace that Marilou had in those
last few days we had together. I was blind-sided! The nice thing is, I fit
right in as everyone else had tear in their eyes as well, but for their friend.
I, tears of grief, of remembrance. It was again rather surprising to me… why is
it that these times seem to catch me by surprise? Yet each time, the grief just
kind of pops in on some situation, and I’m left trying to cover up the best I
can. I didn’t want my own tears to be a distraction from what they were sharing
together. Leaving and going home to cry would only raise more questions, so I
looked into the corner and let the waves of tears pass.
Then, it was back to
trying to understand the conversations, trying to fit in where I could. I sat
there enjoying the life, the fellowship they share together… it was
life-giving.
And so, another day in the
Land of Firsts. New vocabulary words, new verbs to conjugate, new things to
learn. Loving this place I am at right now, and yet reminded every once in a
while of how different things are now than they used to be a few short months
ago. So very different.
