Merry Christmas
Trip Start
Oct 03, 2008
1
24
Trip End
Oct 12, 2008
Dubuque, Iowa
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Well as most of you know I took and adventure of a lifetime this October to Costa Rica. It is in the spirit of
that adventure that I write my holiday greetings. Sometimes we need to step away from our crazy life to realize how lucky and grateful we really are.
I spent one week on the Village of Pairsmina on the Caribbean coast. It is really an island surrounded by a river and the Caribbean. Upon arriving at the dock at dusk 5:00 (I learned that every night all year round the sun goes down at 5:30 - being as though it is so close to the equator) the boat was greeted by family members of the others on the boat as well as by their dogs. Yes the ratio of people to dogs is 450 to something like 65. To say that these random dogs walking around the island with no leashes and no cars to hide in was a frightful feeling for a girl terrified of dogs would be an understatement.
Everyone was so welcoming as well as very proud of the place they call home. They didn't seem to worry about the things that contemplate many of my days here at home. They live in the moment and they don't think about what they don't have but what they do. While I was there many people touched my life including my fearless leader Federico who not only saved me from the dogs but also taught me many life lessons I will never forget. Then
there is Vicky, the American that came to the island years ago, who has devoted her life to helping the village thrive.
But it is my Costa Rican family that taught me more than they will ever know. There is the mother Salen, Jeremy (11) and Kendrie (9). They lived in one room together in the house I stayed in. Each day I was amazed by their smiles and their love for life, but more importantly their love for each other. Even though we could barely understand each other, many days were filled with laughter and jokes while playing competitive games of Go Fish and Speed. I taught them how to play but they more importantly taught me how to live.
One day I was sitting in the kitchen and the two of them were playing Hide-n-Seek. Sure many in the US play this every day but these two played in a bedroom with no closets or anything else for that matter to hide behind and they were grinning from ear to ear. The innocence...oh how I had more of that.
On the night before I left I gave them some toothpaste and toothbrushes, along with some hotel shampoo and
conditioner. To see this family so excited nearly brought tears to my eyes. Then to see Salen (the mom) put a dab of lotion on her sons hand for the first time ever and seeing him smell it like roses with a giant smile - well let's just say I'll never forget that moment. I gave Kendrie a little doll and Jeremy one of my baseball hats and it was like Christmas had come early. In fact it did for me as well as Jeremy went into his room and came out with one of his
only possessions - a stuffed dog. He gave it to me with the biggest smile I'd seen all week - so proud he could give me something in return.
See to me this is what Christmas is all about. It is not about buying the biggest most expensive gifts, it is about
being the gift for others. It is about the giving from the heart. I went to Costa Rica to volunteer and give to others, but I could never have imagined how this adventure would truly change me. I came back a new person...a better person. Someone who is trying to live in the moment (even though it doesn't always work, but I am trying). Someone who can laugh while playing Go Fish or not be bored playing Hide-n-Seek in a bare room. Someone who takes an afternoon to lay on the hammock read a book and listen to the waves in the distance. Ok so I will
have to do without the waves here in Iowa but I need to remember to really enjoy the little things in life. To Just Be.
I know that most of you will not be signing up to visit Costa Rica tomorrow but remember we can all find ways in our own towns and within our own families to give less things and more of us. So maybe during the holiday season you can bring cookies to the old lady down the street or visit a nursing home or the hospital and play a game of cards. Or maybe you serve a meal at the nearest Soup Kitchen because when you see those faces - the smiles of those you are with it is the greatest gift you can give them but more important the best gift you can give yourself. Life is too short not to enjoy it. So laugh and smile and enjoy being you. I know I am for sure.
Merry Christmas
Jill
P.S. For my photos click
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=263774175/a=11362083/t_=11362083
