Friday, December 16, 2011

I Could Not Believe My Eyes

I will never forget the past two days. It all started with a text from the post master here saying that I have a package at the office. Immediately, I thought to myself, “Hmm, who could it be from?” I was very curious so I was feeling more eager for my classes to be over for the day than ever before so I could travel to town and pick it up. After a couple hours, which felt like days, were finally over… there was another obstacle that was preventing me from getting a ride to town- Rain. This rain was not just your ordinary drizzle on a cloudy day, it was very heavy rain, coupled with high winds, thunder and lightning…Ah! Heavy rains create flooding and because the travel choices I have are not water proof it is impossible for me to travel to town with such horrible weather conditions. I still had hope though, so I patiently sat, doodling in my notebook like a high school student, waiting for the rain to stop. It finally stopped so I gathered my things and hopped over many puddles to the road to wait for a tricycle. No tricycles were driving. Time was ticking by, it started to rain again and before I knew it it was already 4pm and the post office was closed. So, soaking wet, I just walked home. I was envisioning myself walking down the street with a question mark over my head that is how curious I was. That night it rained more than it ever had before since I have been here. The rice fields that surround my house looked like lakes.
                                                                                                                                
The sun came up the next day. My school day surprisingly went by very quickly and nothing was preventing me from traveling to town. As I was standing at the counter, giving my signature, I was squinting as I tried to read the small printing on the USPC box on the counter. No luck. Where had my patience gone? Ha. Anyways, FINALLY… I knew who it was from, my cousin Becky! J I have become a fan of surprises and this was definitely a good surprise. The package was too big to fit in my bag and I had to go to the internet while I was in town. First thing I did was go on facebook and send my cousin a message that I received her package and could not wait to rummage through the contents inside. My eye caught sight of the word COFFEE on the customs slip so I had a huge smile on my face. By the time I was done sending the e-mail I had to send, I realized my cheeks hurt from smiling. I can almost feel the same excitement rushing through my body as I type this. I finally arrived home, set the package on my desk, ripped the tape off and opened the box. Christmas exploded from the box! Snowmen, candy, presents galore, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. It did not take long before I realized that the package was not only from my cousin Becky, it was from my entire family… as tears of happiness streamed down my cheeks, I slowly unwrapped every item, trying to savor every last moment and rush of unfamiliar emotions. I am not sure if there is an emotion to explain how I felt but it was extraordinary.

I wish I could hug each and every one of you! The first time I opened the book, I flipped through the pages wondering why there were names written on the bottom. When I figured out why, I wanted to listen to it over and over again. I can’t thank you enough for being the wonderful family that you are. I will never forget that hour of my life. I did not want it to end. Merry Christmas to you all! Xoxoxoxoxox

Also, on Monday there is a Christmas party at my school and my students and I are doing a dance to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer... the package could not have been more perfect.