The Smallest Things

Thoughts from Raya.

Today, the whole day, I have been thinking about how it seemed like we were going to spend a long time here. But when it’s actually happening, and you’re actually living in the moment, it feels like nothing.  I’ve also been thinking about transitioning back to Indiana-from the warm, humid, beach and simple living to the cold, grey, and boring home. Now don’t get me wrong, I love home! It’s just such a drastic change of culture and surroundings that I will be a little confused.

When we arrived at Cove today I was not really ready to be out in the sun and working for the whole day. But when I saw how happy the students were to see us it was just the little help I needed to keep going and do my best.

Throughout lunch and recess one little girl named Marian stayed with me and was my little shadow.

She was very quiet but that didn’t matter because all I saw was the look in her eyes. A look of happiness and thankfulness that is not usually common in seven-year-old children. She sat on my lap and rode on my back. Even when I was with others she was right there next to me or holding my hand, and the whole time she was wearing my very big circle sunglasses. It was the cutest thing to see that just the smallest things make these children happy. And right before she left to go back to class, she gave me a hug and said “Thank you Raya.”