En la belleza del momento

“That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” ~ Nino de L’Enclos

I am reading Stephanie Staples' book, When Enlightening Strikes: Creating a Mindset for Uncommon Success, when I go to bed. It is a great way to end my day because she usually has a positive or thought-provoking message to consider. The above quote precedes a story of her daughter’s wish to go on a mission trip and how a lesson unfolded for Stephanie when she joined her on the journey. Her daughter graduated from high school and then, within 24 hours, they were on a plane to Central America, a place near and dear to my own heart, even if they went to a different country than the one I love.

The story goes that Stephanie did not really want to go for the same reasons lots of us don’t do such things. As often is the case, Stephanie was in for a big surprise about the power of love. The daughter who had recently been dressed for the ball was now a dirty, sweaty Cinderella but it was really her mother who was about to be transformed watching her child navigate the people and poverty while building bridges of the non-physical kind.

I remember my trips to Guatemala with a fondness I cannot describe. I mentioned it at my 50th birthday party as a highlight of my life. Like Stephanie’s daughter, the children literally lapped up every ounce of love that I could give them, and stole my own heart in the process. I was the “shampoo lady” because I had brought bubbles with me that they chased in hopes of breaking them. I painted their faces, made them balloon animals, twirled them around, tickled them to death, and laughed endlessly at their antics. I learned the meaning of the Spanish phrase "en la belleza del momento"--in the beauty of the moment--in a new light that summer.

These were not clean children, but they were beautiful and I loved each of them. Building them a new home was not half as important in some ways as building their self-esteem and confidence. Tonight I am left wondering how they are and what has become of them. They are but a handful of children in the midst of a global village who need our help and our love. They have terrific parents who live in extreme poverty due to war and violence. May God bless them all, wherever they are and whatever they are doing. May beautiful memories of our time together always be good.

Peace,

Suzanne