Because it’s Friday, and because next week will most likely be crazy busy with our upcoming move, here’s a weekend edition of Dear ___ , for you.
Shawn’s brother Brandon… living in Iraq and Afghanistan has made you into a really good package buyer/packer/sender, hasn’t it!? (Thank you so much!!)
Power cuts… there is one thing that we LOVE about you [yes, you read that correctly], and that’s the joyous sound of cheer that erupts once you’re turned back on. Even if you were only off for 10-15 minutes, applause and cheers can almost always be heard.
In Style… it’s SO much fun to have a hot-off-the-press magazine, full of pictures of colorful Western-style clothes and fashion ideas. Especially when I can enjoy you with some package treats such as wasabi soy roasted almonds and Sweet Tart jelly beans!
A package surprise makes for a fun Friday!
Guys who haul water for a living at the well near our house… we are so impressed by you. You’re out there every day, rain, shine, dust or wind, doing a job that’s physically exhausting and doesn’t pay very well. Although you do get some big arm muscles out of the deal! We really are so thankful for you, and we know your families are too. We appreciate the fact that we can call out to you, tell you how many buckets of water we want to buy, and that you haul it up to our roof and put it in our water reservoir. Where would we be without you?
This weekend… we’re so excited because for the first time in months Shawn doesn’t have to prepare a sermon for Sunday. That means that we’ll be able to finish packing and spend the day with our out-of-town guests!
Village communication system… we are so fascinated by you. Yes, the average person has a cell phone. But even today, there are certain sounds that mean certain things, and that’s how news is shared. If you here someone shouting in a high pitch tone, for example, it means that there’s a fire. If you hear a loud, ”hey ha hey ha” sound, it means that someone has died, etc. I wonder how far back in time those sound codes go?
Downton Abbey… at first I thought you were “downtown”. My bad. Also, it’s because of you that I now go around speaking in a British accent, while planning extravagant parties, and making my house girl, and everyone else, call me “Her Ladyship”.
Blinking… I admit that I’ve taken you for granted. I don’t even stop to think about how hard you work, and how overwhelming it must be to open and close trillions of times per day.
Cherry pie filling and pie crust sitting on the kitchen counter… only Shawn could look at you and think to use our extra-large muffin tin and make mini individual cherry pies. “She’s my cherry pie…”
Palm tree leaves… during the day your green leaves provide shade and a tropical feel. But during the night, my how you change. You are no longer innocent and free-spirited as you cast creepy, human-like shadows on the wall of our bedroom. With every gust of wind, your leaves move and dance across our walls in such an eery fashion.
Bacon… there really should be a day set aside to celebrate you.
Roach who was found dead in my flour container… what a tragic way to die! You, there, all stiff and powder-white. I just have one question: did you think you were climbing into the sugar container?
Friends in Cap Skirring / Kabrousse… it’s no secret: we’re going to MISS YOU!
Boat… The rumors are true. When we move up to Dakar next week we’re going to be flying. I know your feelings are hurt. But you know what? We’ve sailed with you many times, and we’ve only flown once. How do you think the plane feels? Also, we heard that last week you got stuck for over an hour on a sand barge, and that you may be out-of-order for the time being. So, the plane it is.
On the move,
s&j
