Shadae!

As I made my 7 1/2 hour trek last weekend to visit Roger in Benque, I had to change buses in Belmopan. The James Bus Line that runs between Punta Gorda and Belize City always carries a load but there is usually a seat for everyone. But the bus lines that run from Belmopan to Benque are ALWAYS crowded. Everyone pushes and shoves jockeying for position to try to secure themselves a seat.

So I arrive in Belmopan and get in line for the next 'Benque' bus. I was feeling fairly confident that I would make it on as I was only the fourth or fifth person in line. The bus arrives and some passengers get off in Belmopan and I make my way to the door of the bus. It's just a part of life with the pushing and shoving. A year ago, I would let everyone go ahead of me. Not today! If I didn't make this bus, I would be late for a dinner engagement with Roger and a customs officer that we had befriended. So without being overly physical, I forged ahead and only let about 15 get in front of me.

I get on the bus and quickly see that all the seats are taken. Shucks! I'm feeling pretty dejected as this was the ONE time that I minded being shut out! (They let people stand in the aisle of the bus but only after it has left from the terminal). I'm sure the disappointment showed on my face as I dejectedly turned around and headed toward the door. Then I hear, "Miss! Miss!" I turn around and see this young Garifuna girl had climbed on her mother's lap to make room for me. She said, "Come here and sit"...

This young girl's name is Shadae. Shadae is only 8 years old...has two older sisters and an older brother. There is no dad as mom tells me that he was killed 7 years ago in a boating accident right off the shore of Belize City (hadn't I heard??) where he was 'chopped up' by the prop of the boat after he had fallen in the water. The mom (Alma) and Shadae were about as pleasant and upbeat as two people could be. Mom commutes all the way from San Ignacio to Belize City (3 hour bus ride each way) everyday but Sunday to run her business. She sells used clothing, shoes, anything... We talk, share stories, but mostly I'm just loving Shadae. Shadae tells me how she is doing in school (great!) and what she has learned that day... very animated. Mom has seen to it that all four children have remained in school...the oldest boy is to graduate from high school this year. I know we take graduating from high school as a minor achievement back home but here...it is HUGE!! (My village of San Miguel BOASTS of THREE graduates last year!! It's a big deal!!)

So you know me...I instantly think of all the clothing that we 'toss' back home in the States...stuff we don't even bother to take to Goodwill... So, I would like you to consider saving discarded and old (but clean) clothes and I will pay for postage and we will start helping this widow and her four children!! (No one would WANT my clothes right now ...you would all laugh if you saw me this very minute!) But I'm thinking of Aubrey, Cristina, Joann, Lina, Betty, ANY of you that might have something no longer useful or you're tired of!! What a nice (and EASY) way to help this family?? When I get back, I will happily pick up your stuff twice a year and mail to Alma (and Shadae)!!

Many of you have written at various times asking what you can do to help me better serve? I have GOT to have the nicest bunch of friends on the planet!! I feel like you have ALL been doing Peace Corps service right alongside of me. I certainly couldn't have managed this without your love and support. And here is another fairly simple way that WE can make a difference in this lovely family's life.

A little girl makes room for a stranger and now we can help her family... 'pay it forward' for sure...

God bless us all...love, tracy

Mickey--mid-sized dog with a HUGE heart!!

Most of the time I sit at this computer and have something mulling in my mind that's ready to put in words...this time however, I was just coming to our computer lab in the village to check emails...not to write a blog but just HAD to tell you what just happened...

I was walking over to the Village Chairman's house and I could see that between the thatched huts, Mickey (my favorite dog in the village) was chained up at his house. Once he saw me, he started crying...howling. That abated for a moment while I was out of view. Then he spotted me on the road between the next two thatches...more howling. I ran into Mauricio on the road and was chatting with him about one of our projects when I turned around to see Mickey. He had his collar on. He had his collar still attached to a heavy duty chain. And the collar attached to the chain was attached to a heavy 12inch by 8inch by 6inch cement block that he was pulling through the grass, onto the gravel road, making his difficult way to me.

WHO says that dogs aren't man's best friend?? I am feeling sooo loved right now!

God bless us all (again, doggies, too!)...tracy

Meet Three Special Friends!!

I am fortunate enough to have three very special friends that all have birthdays today--Jan 3!!

Happy Birthday Vinnie Schoenfelder!! I met Vinnie and his wife, Marianne back in 1976...Vinnie is better known as 'Marianne's husband' and doesn't mind shining his own little glow in her shadow. (As her friend, I hung in her shadow and loved it!) Vinnie was an 'athlete extraordinaire' in a northern New Jersey high school and went on to play college baseball. In the most delightful of ways, when sitting with Vinnie for more that 10 minutes you are bound to hear the replay of his 'glory days'... Vinnie and Marianne were Bob's and my best friends back in some of the best days of my life. Bob and Marianne were the jokesters and Vinnie and I provided them a good audience. Fond memories...A year after Bob died, Vinnie suffered a massive heart attack at the way-too-young age of 40. I remember driving down to Roanoke with Sue Brown to be with Marianne and Vinnie. The three of us girls climbed on the bed with the convalescing Vinnie...the doctor came in and asked if Vinnie was trying to have another heart attack??!? And because we obeyed 'doctors orders', Vinnie is celebrating his 64th (??) birthday today. Vinnie, so glad you decided to hang around a lot longer...love you!

Happy Birthday, Bobby Downs!! Bob and I met Bobby Downs (a golf professional in Hilton Head, South Carolina) the year after Bobby had graduated from Ferris State in Michigan (well known for it's golf academy and golf management courses). My husband, Bob had talked to Bobby about trying to teach me how to golf (a rather hopeless endeavor). Bobby Downs was patient and tried hard (he really did!) but as I said, it was pretty hopeless. There were a few moments of 'greatness'--potential, I guess you could stretch it? Anyway, we came back every year (as we had a timeshare there) and I took more lessons from Bobby. The year that Bob was diagnosed with his brain tumor, we took Vinnie and Marianne and Sue Brown with us...Bobby Downs was so distraught that his buddy Bob was dying, he made sure that we had everything we needed on the golf course...including free golf. After Bob had passed away, three of my bestest buddies, Carlene, Sue Beale, and Sue Brown began a 22 year tradition of gathering for the week of timeshare. And over all these years, Bobby Downs has taken care of us...we figured we have saved well over $20,000 in green fees. Thank you Bobby...you are the BEST! Don't think Bobby is following this blog but just in case, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bobby!!

Happy Birthday Susan Dent!! Those of you that know Susan Dent would never forget her!! She is a force, a freak of nature, an amazing woman...Way before there was the 'Survivor' show on TV, there was this sports/adventure/nature event called the Raid Gauloises that is held yearly at varying remote places on this planet. A team consists of five members and had to include at least one female. (Guess you know who the female was!!) Yep, Susan plus three Navy Seals and Mark Burnett (founder of the TV 'Survivor' obviously inspired by this event...) That year, the event took place in Madagascar that started with parashooting out of a plane, navigating treacherous mountain terrain in frigid temperatures, crossing desert plains in heat exceeding 115 degrees, paddling over 100 miles and walking well more than that with all their gear. Had they not made one critical navigational error (because they were in first place at that point), they may have taken home the gold. Just finishing the race is an unbelievable accomplishment as more than half the teams entered from all over the world don't cross the finish line. If any member of the team has to be medevaced(sp?) the team no longer qualifies for competition. After twelve days, Susan's team finished 11th out of the 40 that crossed the finish line out of the 85 teams that had entered. Years later, she picked up a tennis racquet for the first time and was an instant ace! I know that better than most as I had the good fortune to be her tennis partner. My best fortune was to be her friend.

So January 3rd is a pretty special day...love you all and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

God bless us all...tracy