P-Day Ponderings

Tuesdays may change dramatically after this month, when the center is moved.  Up til now, it has been a preparation day of sorts.  So running errands, cleaning, making telephone calls and preparing reports, plus attending our Danish class is the order of the cay.  If it turns out that the center will be open every night of the week, with the hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. then we will be there, and will use Saturday as a preparation day.

We had a new teacher in our Danish course today, and I suspect some people might drop out.  She speaks in Danish mainly and she speaks rapidly.  If someone asks a question, she answers in Danish, rephrasing it if necessary.  She left a few people behind in the dust today, and I don't know if she will soften her touch on Thursday.  I enjoyed it today because the pace was faster and I love listening to her Danish.  And also because I understood - just barely - what was going on.  I am certain that if I had been one of the befuddled ones, I would be thinking it is not so fun.

On the ride home on the bus I noticed a care-worn grandmother looking tired and in a reverie holding a small child on her lap with beautiful golden curls.  The little girl was sound asleep sitting up and nestled close to her caretaker.  I often see little ones with older people.  I think it is not uncommon here because so many women work.  It is just a given.  There is a marvelous maternity leave for both mothers and fathers, but on the other hand, when that is over, the children are usually put in day-care centers, and whoever can pick them up at the end of the day does, whether parent or grandparent.  When we are on the bus between 5 and 7 p.m. we see many sleepy little ones in the company of a tired parent/grandparent.

My heart goes out to them all.  I sometimes long to have that time back when my children were little.  I sound like every grandmother in the world probably, but I didn't realize what a gift that was.  There is very little I have done with my life that compares to the time I spent with them.

It has been a very dark day today....you wouldn't think the days are getting longer!  It has been raining on and off.  I hear many of the YSAs talk about how depressing this is.  I can see how it would be, but just between you and me....I love it.  I love wearing a coat buttoned up against the cold.  I love the warm scarf around my neck and my gloved hands in my pockets.  I love walking all over the place without melting.  I love the rain.  I even love the dim skies.  I must be loony!

On the other hand, Erin sent me a picture of a beautiful Arizona day on our street, blue skies shining brilliantly with not a cloud.  My heart lurched when I saw that.  My mind flooded with images of our little family.  Can't let that happen too often.

We have a big week ahead of us.  Tomorrow, we go to the Embassy!  What an adventure.  I'll let you know how it goes.