Today was a day of interaction. Last night our new friends had us over for home made pizza and a visit out on their covered porch (lanai for our friends in Kauai). I was invited over to paint today, while she painted panels on the side of her house. We had the tunes going, stories being shared, her husband making French onion soup from scratch, and doggies being petted – all while we both painted. My canvas is in the early stages but at least I found something which resonated with me enough to want to paint! I’ll share when it is complete.
Meanwhile Walter and Gregory went for a bit of a hike around where we live (I had our car) and on the way back they spotted 3 boys about Gregory’s age playing in the property located across the street from ours. Gregory knows a few words in Spanish and they knew a few words in English – but as is typical all the boys managed to understand each other. They playing together for about 2 hours (until the rain became stead) – soccer, tree climbing, threw fruit at each other, swung on the tires hung from trees, rolled down the hill…(boy stuff). Gregory’s comment was they “played not too rough” – his face was all smiles. His clothes needed to be washed! All in all a perfect day for a 10 year old.
While Gregory played with the 3 boys, Walter chatted with the one boy’s father and grandfather. The father’s English was good but when Walter said he was learning Spanish, he replied by saying “let’s start now” and switched back to Spanish! A comment was made by them that many people have lived here for years without learning the language to which Walter replied “When you learn the language you learn the soul of the people.” to which both the father and grandfather nodded their agreement.
On my way home I stopped at the Little Longhorn burger place in San Luis just before our road home and ordered “tres hamburgesas con papas fritas” and used my translator app to introduce myself and ask the owner her name. I explained (in Spanish) that I was learning to speak the language to which I received smiles from both the owner and her son.
Seeing the interaction of the boys made me smile so much that my face hurt. There is so much joy and value in human interaction.
Love that he gets to experience this here!