One of my other resolutions this year is to improve my Spanish skills. I lived as a "gringa" minority in a city that was 78% Hispanic--a place where blondes were so rare that people asked my permission before telling a blonde joke (how considerate, but bring them on!). Lots of kids in my school only spoke English if they had to talk to the teacher. It was awesome to be so immersed in such a beautiful culture and have good exposure to conversational Spanish. I loved being in the minority, along with the other gringos, Indians, blacks, and Asians of every kind. It was my favorite place I ever lived for its diversity and culture of acceptance and inclusion.
I took two years of Spanish in high school. Once I was a nurse, I asked my dad and brother (who are fluent Spanish speakers) for help once in awhile so I could be prepared to communicate with my Spanish-speaking patients. I could assess well enough and deduce a lot of basic needs without an interpreter, but not enough to acquire patient consent for surgery or give patient teaching. I liked that my patients knew I was trying. Sometimes I would grab my phone from my locker and use the translation app for phrases I didn't know to help them better.
Recently I read about a fellow whose New Year's resolution is to learn his sixteenth language. He gave tips, and one of them I loved very much: not to be afraid to speak like a child, with mispronunciations, grammatical errors, misused words, etc. These can be pardoned! They are part of language acquisition!
With this new perspective in mind, I made friends with an adorable chocolate-eyed toddler today at a baby shower for my cousin. She and I connected immediately over her cute sweater with "un gato" on it and her cute "zapatos." She kept coming back to play with me and talk about those zapatos--maybe they were new. She was bilingual, but I practiced my Spanish with her, knowing that she would not mind my childish mistakes. It was so much fun!
I am grateful for baby steps. Every skill we acquire is achieved through incremental progress--isn't that nice?! We can be like little children at any stage of our lives and give ourselves permission to grow little by little. That is a beautiful realization. :)
Dear Neighbor:
ReplyDeleteI’m playing Hooky from church today. I couldn’t drag myself out of bed at the right time, for reasons I know you would understand.
I want to write you a note to say that you’ve been having an impact in my life. I include today in that “impact statement” because today I read all your most recent posts – from December 8th through today. Each one of them sounded messages in my heart and soul that resonated with similar thoughts and themes in my own life.
Your influence for good in my life began back in mid-November when my daughter, who is a friend of yours, suggested I read your blog, beginning with your “My Backstory” post. Some other day, perhaps I can fill you in on the several and various ways you have had an impact on my life. But that can wait. I write that “fill you in” sentence as if you were a friend, wanting to hear my story. It certainly feels that way to me because of how connected I feel to the ideas you share – giving me tears, smiles, laughter, and hope.
Well…on second thought, I’ll go ahead and share one way you have had an impact on my life. Since that time in November when I read your backstory, I have taken a new turn in my medical quest. I’ve cast my lot with the same medical team as yours thanks to your story and the urging of my daughter.
I am feeling new hope, in a new integrative-medicine endeavor I’ve never tried before. I’ve always said to my family – to my children especially – “knowledge is my friend.” Your blogging has thus begun opening for me a new “closet” of knowledge I did not know existed. So, thank you.
May God bless you in all you do, and bless you that your most heartfelt and solemn prayers may be answered. I admire you because I can see you have already recognized that the windows of heaven are open and pouring out blessings. Your full understanding of what is happening today may come later when your heart, mind and soul achieve the final “room enough to receive.” I pray it may be so for you because the realization of such an understanding is so sweet.
Yours truly,
Your friend,
Shannon’s Dad
Gee Mr Shannon's Dad, I had no idea my words made a difference, except to me. I wanted to record this stuff for posterity, but I felt like a public platform was needed for someone(s). So many people suffer in silence for decades, and we are not alone!
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words and the experiences you shared. God works in such wonderful ways. I am glad you have found refuge in the care of those great practitioners. I hope your path to wellness is paved with peace and punctuated often with miracles. I wish this for all who suffer. And I know the only balm that works is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and His path is the only Way.
Keep in touch and let me know how you are progressing. I just cherish Shannon, by the way. We have walked an insightful road together, and I have the utmost appreciation for her profound strength and compassionate heart.
Be well!
"Opal"