As many of you know, I was able to go home this Christmas thanks to collected and donated frequent flier miles. As my sister had a new daughter in October, and her elder 3 are growing like weeds, it means a lot to see them as much as I can. This trip home was different than any other Christmas in Oregon as we were blanketed in snow, then ice, then more snow. It meant that instead of Christmas programs, shopping trips and seeing the Nutcracker, we pretty much snuggled up on the couch and watched movies as the snow fell... and fell… and fell… and fell. And even when it started to get old, I found myself thinking, really, can you ever get tired of curling up on the couch with a niece in each arm watching Enchanted? (The correct answer is no, by the way!)
But now I’m back in Bangladesh, busy trying to figure out a new position while winding up last years programs and getting prepared for next year. I wasn’t able to visit the Alternative Employment project until today. I arrived carrying some large bags, but instead of helping me, the woman who met me at the door went racing back inside to excitedly tell everyone that I had arrived. They flocked to me, hugged me, asked me if I missed them, told me they thought of me on Christmas, held my hands, told me I looked beautiful (due to my Oregon pallor!), told me I looked thinner (come on, I just spent 3 weeks in the US eating every thing in sight!), gave me some gifts, and just showered me with love. They had made posters welcoming me "from your 26 daughters.”
I often feel sad thinking about how much I’m missing at home, how much my nieces and nephews grow up while I’m gone, how I miss their performances and their milestones… But I’d sure hate to miss this too… getting a chance to see people given opportunities to improve their lives, feed their families, and to be empowered. It’s a special gift.
