last visit…for now!
December 16th, 2011 by Sarah LoudenOur last visit with our family was happy and sad all at once. I took them a lot of Christmas gifts-lots of hands on activities, such as play dough, markers, crayola design kits, and a weaving loom. Needless to say, this went very well!
A relative came by when the little one had opened the play dough. The relative, an older woman, made letters with the play dough and told us what they were. The little one thought it was more fun to make bracelets and mix the colors together! The older boys were very interested in the play dough as well! Everyone had a great time with it! I also purchased these really neat 3-D Crayola kits that the older boys took a liking too. I was glad to provide them with items that they will be able to continue to enjoy!
I was excited when the mother called from work during our visit, actually, i was astounded. Speaking to her on the phone I could tell how much she had progressed in her speaking skills. She told me to not let the kids speak Nepali to each other, and that she is so happy she is learning English. She explained she always calls when she gets her “lunch break” which is around 8 PM.
The oldest boy told us that the family was moving soon to a smaller apartment down the street. I provided them will every single contact that I had for myself, and asked him to please call or email when he had his new address. I am graduating this semester, but will be in the Chicago area, so I plan on continuing the relationship we have built upon this semester. I feel obligated and also wish to continue visiting. I have gained new friends and I am always excited to see them! I explained that I wouldn’t be back until after January, and he seemed to understand.
I am so fortunate to have been able to be in a course such as this. I can’t believe what an awesome experience it is- I sometimes would forget that it was a course requirement, but instead looked at it as something I do every week without wondering why. The visits were very natural like any visits with friends are. I am so glad to have formed such wonderful relationships with people from the other side of the world. Coming from a small farming town outside Cincinnati, I never would have imagined I’d be presented with this opportunity!
Thanks for reading this semester! To anyone who comes afterwards, please cherish all the moments and the work you do with your families. It means more than we can even imagine.