The title comes from an old rhythmic
tune from way back in Cuba
Of
course, the song takes the funny slant, how one hits another and the other does
the same to someone else, etc… Sort of like falling dominoes, until the
last one in line ends up kicking the dog at the end. Just because it’s the
dog and it happens to be there at the wrong time… and because it will continue
to wag its tail no matter what.
Actions
and reactions; a lifetime of uninterrupted motion which sometimes goes forward
… sometimes backwards and at other times it moves sideways while seeming to be
motionless. Suddenly we look up and we realize that it has been some six plus
decades that one has been facing whatever this life wants to hand out, whether
gently or a bit more roughly, as it is wont to do. There are moments when one
feels slightly like that old dog, receiving a hard hit (at times physically and at other times emotionally) and wagging on.
Then, there are other times when the world is at your feet, ready for your
bidding.
Last
night was a beautiful night. By the time I finally finished and came home at
around 9pm, the winds had blown the all day cloud cover to kingdom come; when I
stepped out of the car and tilted my face up, lo and behold … the firmament was
there to be looked at in awe; an almost full moon, incredibly shiny, with all
the attending stars in tow… a gorgeous array of light points, trailing through
the skies like a gigantic candle collection of many sizes, all flickering
brightly. For a moment, it was enough to allow one to forget many issues,
including tiredness of body and spirit.
When
it is said that the best moments in life are free … this was certainly a
wonderful example of one of them!!
This
morning, in my first class, there were a couple of young students in attendance
and I happened to mention last night’s skies… the reaction of one, echoed by
the other, was “I don’t have the time to look at the skies…” It was a great
opportunity to go into the “Take the time to smell the roses lecture” but I
realized this would not mean much to them. All that my mind could muster at the
moment was a mild mannered “whatever few
precious minutes you manage to give yourself, are priceless in what they can mean to you” and so I said to them. He looked back at me and with a somewhat
surprised look on his face, said: “My
grandfather used to say that to us all the time … we just never paid too much
attention because all we could see was a poor old man, with nothing to show for
his life”.
I
looked at him and, remembering there were other people in class and that this was
not a private conversation, refrained from any further detailed comments but, a bit later managed
to steer the class towards a light discussion of what an achievement is. It was
interesting to listen to these young people give their own version of
achievement; usually centered on money and the things this could buy. Most, if not
all, come from humble backgrounds, and all are desperately trying to eke out a
better living than what they had available in their own country. Finally, a
young mother said: “my biggest
achievement is my baby daughter” and the discussion began to veer towards
the non-metallic side of the ledger.
By
the end of the discussion, in their somewhat halting English (after all, it is an English class…) they
came to an overall agreement (including
one, somewhat grudgingly, from the young man with the original comment)
that in reality, money is a tool, albeit a much needed tool, but its worth is
its usefulness to obtain those services for which we have to pay. On the other
hand, they also agreed that those moments in life which bring warmth of heart,
love, affection, peace of mind and inner happiness, do not really have buying price
… as the card commercial aptly says: “They are priceless”.
Sometimes
I wonder whether my being in these classes as “The Teacher” is due to being in
the right place at the right time… For all of us … Many of these folk who come
through these courses are not rich in economic terms but they are rich in
culture and friendship, and all share an intense desire to improve their lot;
to learn all they can, and to adapt to a new world while working their tails
off. We talk about our country, the changes it has undergone over the years and
the people who inhabit it. Among the topics discussed are demographics,
politics, opportunity and ways to improve the future of their lives and,
especially, that of their children (Those
who have them). I have met kids of 20 – 22 years of age who live alone and
work 18 hours a day so they can send some money back home, going to bed at 2am
and getting up at 6 so they can be in class by 8. I have met adults who work
two jobs while raising a family and look at these classes and the work involved
as another job to tackle.
They
come to learn English and, in return, they teach me about never giving up. I am
reminded daily that “where there is a will, there is a way” and also of the fact
that there are no impossibilities, just some challenges which are a little more
difficult than others. In these classes we laugh, sometimes we yell and poke
fun at each other; my daily goal is that they know a few more words when they
leave than they knew when they came into the classroom. There is pride in this
achievement for each one, and often they will report back as to how they can
now “communicate” better with their coworkers or neighbors.
We
all have something to learn … I am happy to share my experiences with them and
they share their lot with me. The offshoot is that we can all learn from each
other; there are no titles or positions in life, just the person who occupies
them at any given time and often for a few, fleeting moments. Open the eyes of your
heart and mind, for these are the ones that will truly make you less blind; the
eyes on our faces just show what appears to be … the inner eyes allow us to see
what is.
Be
Well … Be Back!!!
Final Notes:
- Pray for those who are fighting an illness which
may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
- Follow us on Twitter … @RJAsPandora
- Any comments please send to otherboxp@yahoo.com
- Remember: We are “On Air” every Sunday night at
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