Seeing Things as They Are
India has an interesting way of presenting herself. I have been humbled and at the same time grateful to receive these messages…
A blanket is a blanket. It provides a cover, maybe even some weight, when I go to sleep at night.
A blanket is a blanket, even when it is damp, cold, even when it smells and has dirt on it.
A blanket is a blanket.
A bus is a bus. It takes me from one place to another. It brings me to a destination.
A bus is a bus even when it is really bumpy, so bumpy that my muscles are tired from working simply to stay in my seat.
A bus is a bus even when the window slides open on every bump allowing the cold, cold air to come in, which is an invitation to wear my sweater, jacket, buff, hat and gloves all at the same time.
A bus is a bus.
A shower is a shower. It comes out of a shower-head, not a faucet.
A shower is a hot shower when you turn on the water heater 30 minutes before you plan to take a shower and get enough hot water to wet, put the shampoo in and rinse it out.
A shower is a shower when it is so cold you do a dance for it to be over and ask yourself, would you rather have the cold water sprinkle over head, or poured on you by your own hand from a bucket… (I have done both).
A shower is a shower when the water is so hot you don’t want to pour it on your body, yet you desire the warmth so you do anyway.
A shower is a shower.
A towel is a towel. It usually dries your hands or body.
A towel is a towel even when you touch it after washing your hands and your hands stay just as wet.
A towel is a towel that you appreciate wrapping around yourself after a cold shower and are grateful to have something covering you as you step from the cold floor of the bathroom to the cold floor of your room.
A towel is a towel even when it is still wet from the shower you took three days ago.
A towel is a towel especially when it is the one your mom purchased for you because she knew a quick drying towel would be a nice treat.
A towel is a towel.
A sweater is a sweater.
It provides you warmth during the day and at night when you wear it to sleep.
A sweater is a sweater.
A toilet is a toilet.
A toilet that you can sit on is a toilet that you can sit on. Even when it is wet from a cold shower, or a hot shower that dripped water on the seat and is now cold.
A toilet that you can sit on is a toilet that you do not have to squat down to use and then pour water down to flush it.
A toilet that you stand on, is a toilet that you stand on. And you have to stand in just the right place, not too far forward to too far back (I have learned from experience) and when you are done you pour water down the drain to “flush it.”
A toilet is a toilet and when you need to use it you have to remember to bring your own paper or wipes, because in India toilet paper is not a guarantee.
With a toilet that you can sit on, you can flush it, only after you put your toilet paper in the trash bin because the plumbing here is not used to toilet paper.
A toilet is a toilet and sometimes I wish I was outside going in the wilderness, reminding myself I can breathe through my mouth and not my nose.
A toilet is a toilet, and I am usually grateful to have access to one.
A toilet is a toilet.
A utensil is a utensil.
Most folks use utensils to eat food with.
A utensil is a utensil that I used and became surprised mid-way through my meal when I realized it was the first time in eight days that I had used a utensil to eat a meal.
A utensil is a utensil.