Connectivity

     Connectivity. There are times when understanding the language is a strain and I wish I could hook my brain up to the converter and recharge it instead of my IPhone. But in reality the emotional and physical outlets are limited.  One outlet per room and one room for us both. With this in mind, I am so grateful to have Pam as my room and chica travel mate. When needed, she allows me space for thinking, writing and talking to God during those limited outlets. She also shares the physical wall outlets and her converter.
    Here is where "connectivity" comes in. Pam's Spanish is improving rapidly. In "real life" Pam is also a listener. She cares and pays attention the same way in Spanish- taking everything in with her ears and camera. I had 4 months of Spanish immersion in college in Spain so I remember the strain to connect at least one word here and there.  With her training in Spanish and energy she is doing great, but we both have to work hard to keep up. With all this said, I know there are times where she can feel left out of the conversation.
     A few mornings ago, in Rafaela, we had an example of connection surpassing the language. The "idioma differente" is although a beautiful reason we are here, that can seem like a barrier. Because Pam loves her dogs. (In her presentation she shares "mis hijos" -my kids - with their picture.) Our host mom of Rafaela, Lilianna brought up pups. Lilianna shared how they lost their dear pip this year to cancer and just haven't been able to replace her just yet. Pam quickly grabbed her phone for the screensaver page- "Es mi perro Brutus. Mi primero (my first) cancer tambien"
     With tears in her eyes, Lilianna went on to explain characteristics if their past pup. How he slept with their daughter Mara and never broke plants or anything. I looked over and our Pam as she wiped away a tear. Connectivity. There was this palpable moment between them that surpassed any Spanish strain.  This outlet of tears brought refreshment and a reminder that this experience is certainly about more than the words.