For once, the front page of the newspaper today was not about how many more people have been murdered in this country. Today, for Valentines Day, the front page of the Tribune was a story about a couple getting their first bed.
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| The headlines in red read: THE BED OF LOVE On the right, it says: In the garbage he found the best gift for the day of love Marvin and Maricela cry from happiness because now they have a place to sleep |
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| "Young couple happy with a bed they found in the street" |
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| This is their house. |
The story tells of Marvin, worried yesterday because he had no money to buy a Valentines gift. He works, but has no money to spare. Then he finds a bed and torn up box spring in the garbage. The pictures show him with a huge smile. He is absolutely thrilled as he puts his "new" bed into the house. The couple used to sleep on damp dirt floors, covered in rat feces and bugs. They were cold at night. But now they have a bed. They don't mind a bit that it is torn and dirty. I wonder if they have sheets.
At the Breakfast Program today I was greeted with lots of hugs and word of appreciation for my friendship. Today is Valentines Day, known here as The Day of La Amor (Love) and Amistad (friendship). I need to learn how to express sentiments better in Spanish because I didn't say the things I wish I could say to my friends.
However, yesterday I impressed myself with my Spanish skills. My favorite cable channel went black a few days ago. I called the cable company and we spent about half an hour trying to fix the problem over the phone. Finally he said he would have to send someone to the house. It was not for my lack of Spanish skills. There is a problem with the cable that they need to fix in person. I was quite proud because I really don't like talking on the phone in Spanish, but it went just fine.
Yesterday I received an email that was an answer to prayer. A few months ago I noticed that one of my monthly sponsers was no longer on my monthly financial statement. The person had been donating a significant amount. I prayed that maybe it was a computer glitch and would be resolved. Eventually I just let it go and prayed that I would get the support another way.
My prayer was answered when I received an email from a couple whom I've met only once, saying they would like to support me with a monthly donation in exactly the same amount as the other person had stopped giving. It never ceases to amaze me when people I don't even know are so generous.
Happy day of love and friendship!
