Gratitude!

I was taking my customary evening stroll around the rice fields, feeling a little down, lonely and discouraged when suddenly a young boy, barefoot and in ragged clothes, came running out of his red clay, thatched roof house, down a dirt path yelling “Tamara, Tamara”. I turned to greet him and when he reached me he had a large potato in each small hand to give me. The look of joy and pride in his eyes, at sharing some of his families crops with me brought tears to my eyes. I accepted them as if they were two handfuls of gold. It was just what I needed in the moment to lift my spirits.
As I walked home I was overwhelmed with gratitude of where I was and the people I am surrounded by. I reflected on the simplicity of the life here in Madandona, how everyone is so different, but that people everywhere are united by their shear virtue of humanity. 10 months ago, I had no idea this world or these people existed. Today I am living among them. A deep feeling of love for the people in this little village, welled up inside me and I thought, I want to live here forever!
When I arrived home, I realized I was out of water and had to haul the water across the yard and up the stairs to clean and cook the potatoes. As I cooked the potatoes I also realized I needed another “Jersy” can to take my bucket bath at night. Oh, and I remembered I had to clean my chamber pot. It was then I thought, “Are you crazy, of course you do not want to live here forever.” But I do hope to carry some of the spirit of the people with me forever.
This is the time of year we all make gratitude list. In the past I have never, ever included a toilet on my list. I took it for granted. When I return to the states it will be #1 on my list for a long, long time. Moving forward with a list of things I am grateful for today in Madagascar:
My Kindle and free books from the Daniel Boone Library, I am on my 114th book!!!!
The mice that stay in the kitchen at night and don’t try to get in bed with me. I have trained them by putting food in the corner, they come in eat and fill their bellies then go back home to sleep.
My Malagasy teacher Henri, who recently told me what a wonderful person I was for trying to improve my Malagasy. ( hidden meaning: Your Malagasy still stinks, probably always will, but you are great for trying)
When I say something in Malagasy and the person actually understands me.
That I have never fallen off my chamber pot or knocked it over (many volunteers have reported doing this at least once.)

Most of all I am grateful for all the friends and family back home who send me messages and encourage me. Every Friday on my way in to town, on the hot crowded taxi brousse, I ride in anticipation of getting to my wifi spot and opening my e mails to see if I have a note from anyone. Like the little boy with the potatoes, hearing even a few words from any of you lifts my spirits, so please keep doing so.
Happy Thanksgiving!