This morning I did a bible study, then Santos came over to fix a shelf that fell down a year ago, but I never told anyone. I had this whole scheme in mind of how to fix it. I thought he was going to have to buy stuff to hold it up. Actually he just propped a piece of metal back into place. Why didn't I ask a year ago?
I told Fany that I was spending the day with Erika, but I couldn't think of anything for us to do. After groaning about my own indecisiveness a few times, I decided that we could walk over to the next neighborhood and buy an avocado, then come home and make baleadas. Then we could stop in at my favorite used clothing store because I only have 3 blouses to wear to the office. Now that I am spending more time at the office, I need more than 3 blouses in my rotation.
Fany said she has clothes her Aunt sent from the US. Her Aunt sends big boxes of clothes that she buys by the pound and Fany sells them here. I didn't expect there to be much, but Fany pulled out shirt after shirt. There were 5 shirts I like. One has a hole so she gave it to me for free. The other four were supposed to cost $5 each, but she only charged me $4. I was totally happy to have new shirts to wear to the office (it is VERY formal attire), but that kind of ruined my plan with Erika.
When I called Erika to say that I would pass by a half hour later than planned she mentioned that the boys weren't home yet. I just assumed that she knows I love to see them. She said it would be perfect for me to come a half hour late, because then the boys would be back. Normally I ask her what she wants to do. She always tells me that she doesn't care. Today I didn't bother to ask. I figured we could brainstorm together.
As I pulled up to the house, or rather the road across the valley from the house, it was strange because nobody was around. Normally there are lots of kids around and Erika is waiting, looking for my truck. I turned the car around and parked. Marjory peeked out the door, but nobody came. Since there were no people nearby, I decided to take some photos.
Erika's house is in the top middle of the photo. You can see the ravine that I hope her house never falls into each time the heavy rains come.
The kids snuck up from behind while I wasn't looking. Lorenzo, Carlos and Junior, as well as their buddy Jose, were all outside the car, yanking on the door handles trying to get in. I was monkeying with my phone and it took me a minute to unlock the doors so they started banging on the windows. I thought they just wanted say hello, which they always do. But as soon as the doors were unlocked everyone crawled in, latched up their seat belts and sat still and straight as soldiers. (Which is a miracle, because NOBODY here uses seat belts.)
It was then I realized they all were freshly bathed, with wet hair, dressed in their best clothes. And everyone had a flour for me! Lorenzo brought a rose. Clearly they were expecting to go somewhere.
Erika climbed in and I asked if they would prefer to go to a playland or the new park. I didn't want to spend the money on eating at a playland, but I also thought the sun was awfully strong to go to a park. The boys chose the park, which turned out to be great!
Lorenzo asked permission to remain in the front seat. Since he is now 11 years old, and the back seat was full, I told him sure. He is still too little for a seat belt. It was choking him. I showed him how to put it behind his back. All of the kids were so, so wonderfully behaved. I told them over and over how great they were.
Erika said she is presenting Marjory to the church in two weeks. Before she had a chance to invite me I asked if I could go. She laughed and said she told her mother she hoped I would come.
Since I was not prepared to go to the park, I told the boys I needed to get the flowers into a cup of water so they wouldn't die. We went to my house where we picked up Fany and Laura, as well as my camera and some umbrellas for shade.
The boys had never been to my house before. They were amazed by how I snapped ice cubes out of the ice cube tray. When I filled the tray with water they watched carefully until Lorenzo told them that I was making more ice cubes.
They were shocked at the bag of cat food. They said, "That's a lot of food!" As I was thinking about it later, I realized that my cat probably has more food in the house than they have for all of the people in their house. Realizations like that make living in Honduras strange.
Junior got car sick from the five minute ride to the park. Poor baby held it in until we arrived, then puked as I was spraying everyone down with sunblock.
It was so nice watching the boys be free and have fun. Going to a park where they can play safely is a big deal for them.
At first they were eager to race from one thing to the next, but when I told them we have hours to play they settled in.
Lorenzo is still not growing. I would like to know why. Erika said they told her mother that he is unable to absorb nutrients, but Erika doesn't know why. I wonder if anything can be done. All the rest of his family is a healthy weight and height. Poor Lorenzo is so small. Only his face is maturing.
When it came time to leave I told them they had five more minutes to play. I sat down with Erika and we packed everything up. As soon as I stood, all three of them came running over and hopped in the car with no complaints. Such sweet, well-behaved boys. I love them!
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| Not sure what kind of gun this is But yes, there are armed military keeping the park safe |
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| Laura |
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| Fany and I found some shade |
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| Lorenzo |
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| Junior |
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| Carlos |
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| Junior |
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| Erika with Carlos and me |
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| Carlos is the KING OF THE WORLD! |
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| So many great smiles! |
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| I taught Laura hopscotch on the tiles of her kitchen floor |
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| Marjory |
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| Lorenzo |
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