Tuesday Thoughts

I note the obvious differences between each sort and type, but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.

Maya Angelou

One of the things that I find so interesting about sewing with Ana and Juana is learning more about their culture. I am sometimes caught by surprise by the similarities - not because I expect differences, but mostly because I hadn't thought things through very deeply.

Here are two recent examples. At Joann's, Ana was trying to decide between two patterns. She wanted to know which one I thought was prettier. I kept telling her that it was her choice, but she didn't want to pick one. Finally, mostly as a joke, I took turns pointing to the two patterns as I recited the children's chant, "eeny, meeny, miney, mo..." A big grin broke out on Ana's face, and when I was done, she pointed back and forth and recited the chant that Mexican children use to decide! I seriously doubt that the words translate to mean the same thing, but the intention and intonation were identical. Children are children everywhere! :)

The next example is very sweet and touching. Before going to Joann's, Ana was putting on her make-up, and she asked me why I don't wear make-up. It was a bit difficult to explain in Spanish, but I tried to convey the idea that I realized, a long time ago, that I'm not pretty and I never will be and so I don't worry about trying to make myself look pretty. Ana looked a bit stricken for a minute, and then she told me very earnestly (in Spanish, of course) that I am pretty on the inside. In hindsight, I guess probably every culture has the notion of inner and outer beauty, but it still caught me by surprise when she used that exact phrase - "Usted es bonita adentro." ;)

They are really special young women - I can't begin to describe how much joy it has brought to my life to spend time with them. :)