His Joy

His Joy 

by Laura Aviña

Darkness meets my eyes as they open each morning. 

I’m warm. 

I’m safe.

I wait.

I wait for the voices, the happy ones, the grumpy ones, the voices that instruct, the voices that respond.

I know each of them, my family.

I wait for the footsteps outside my door, not the ones that pass by, but the ones that stop. 

I wait for the hands that turn on the light, the hands that lift me, the hands that wash me.

I wait for her face.

She is happy to see me.

I see it in her eyes.

Wheels move my body, wheels moved by my arm.

They move me outside to the front porch.

They move me down the sidewalk.

I see the little things, the little things that become big things and the little things that stay little.

But most of all I wait expectantly for him.

Then I see them, the school children, and I see him, their teacher.

I can’t hear his words, but I see him point toward me.

And then one comes running, running for me!

They are happy to see me!

He is happy to see me.

I see it in their eyes.

I go. 

I go with the children.

I watch them stretch. 

I watch them play and I play too.

I hear the laughter. 

I point.

I yell. 

I jabber. 

They don’t understand, but they answer anyways.

This is my favorite time. 

My favorite place.

I feel so alive.

As they play, I see her. 

She is looking for her dog.

I saw where he went when I was watching the little things.

She brings him back.

Soon she will come for me.

Then we go.

Sometimes I want to stay, but I don’t complain.

We go to the classroom.

She talks to me.

She teases me.

I talk to her.

She stretches my legs and my arm.

We listen to music.

I walk. 

I stand. 

I learn.

Sometimes it is hard.

I feel angry. 

I hit her. 

I hide my face.

Sometimes she feels angry and she tells me.

We use a screen.

The people I love are on the screen.

The screen says their names.

I say their names.

The screen asks for snacks.

I ask for snacks. 

The screen says how I feel.

It says it for me.

Sometimes she hides her eyes behind a blanket.

She says “boo” and I see her eyes again. 

It is my favorite game.

I wonder if she is still alive when I can’t see her eyes.

But they always come back.

The eyes that are happy to see me.

After lunch, I go to the porch again.

I watch the little things, the little things that turn into big things and the ones that stay little.

I know that I’m different.

I don’t know why.

It has always been this way.

But I don’t worry.

They are happy to see me.

They are happy to be with me.

And I am happy to be with them.

Reminisce

Making banana cake in preparation for Thanksgiving week.

Miguel putting together his Christmas present, a charcoal grill.

Hanging out with the neighbor girls on a Saturday afternoon.

They made my day when they brought me this box of treats and this awesome picture of Miguel and I.

Thanksgiving week began with me finding this giant rose.

I spent Monday reminiscing with a surprise visitor, Destini Rassi!

Here we are in 2007 when I lived at CVE as a girl. Yes, those little girls in pink and orange-striped shirts in the front row.

And here we are now, 12 years later!

It was so amazing to spend some time together and catch up on each other's lives. 

Wednesday morning, the pies were in full production and the potato-peelers were being entertained by Tadi boy in the dining room.

Apple pie in the making by Jody Klotzle who helps bring our Thanksgiving meal together every year!

Gravy...

Feasting on the giblets.

Pie night Wednesday evening was nearly drowned out by heavy rains, but we still had it.

And enjoyed singing praises together afterwards.

It was a beautiful evening!

Balto was allowed in the house for a bit because of the rain. 

He made puppy dog eyes to beg me not to send him out again.

"I'll sit right here!"

Puddles

Sunday afternoon I put up our Christmas decorations.

So excited for the season.

And on Monday I made a pot of "Caldo de Queso."

Mexican Cheese soup

Roast 4 green chiles. Place them in a plastic bag for steaming and easier pealing. Chop 4 potatoes and put on the stove to boil in one gallon of water. Peal and slice green chiles into strips. Chop one onion and two tomatoes and sauté in oil. Add the green chiles to the onion and tomato in the skillet. When the veggies are well sautéed, add to the boiled potatoes. Season to taste. Cut 2 pounds of Mexican fresh cheese into squares and drop into soup. Bring to boil. Y listo!

Tuesday this week, I had one of the girls from CVE over at my house. We walked over to a big soccer field with the neighbor girls and I taught them how to play "miniatures."

Here is a "house."

This is a close up of the cooking pot sitting on the table!

It makes me remember playing like this as a girl!