Older reflections - Artistic Piece #2

I wrote this in my journal on 6-19-09, shortly after we arrived in Honduras:

"Adios, A-dios... mañana volveré ... A-dios, adios mañana volveré" resounds in my head and in my heart, and just ever so faintly in the distance, around the curved bend of the grassy road, at the Kinder. It is this endearing sound of familiarity that draws us every closer to the kids, and they to us. Each day is a fleeting moment, but it is a shared experience, a common thread that unites us through song and celebration.

6-20-09 Journal entry (continuation of "Artistic Piece #2")

Passing along a hug, a smile, or even a high-five nourishes the inner being inside us all, satiating our strong and ever-present desire to love and to be loved. The kids, just like us, are still figuring out what it means to be a human being. We come from different walks of life, certainly, and because of that we've become accustomed to different needs. However, I believe that on a basic level we are driven by the same essential emotional needs - we need attention from others to feel important, and to feel loved. We need - and strive for - praise and a feeling of having accomplished something on our own merit. I believe that on some level the kids are motivated by these emotional tethers - seeking connection through eye contact, attention, gratification & praise. Even the trouble-makers yearn for attention, but have somehow grown to seek it in a backwards way - through negative attention discipline, and frustration. On some level, even this type of attention is something the kids here cherish, because without it they only have neglect, disappointment, starvation, and boredom to look forward to. It is a hard life here, especially for the kids who live at Abuela's house. Ah, entonces la vida sea lo que sea.