Day Five -- A Break through in Communication

Day Five –

We were totally out of our element today because our facilitator had to leave last night and go back to Kiev.  He is to return tomorrow, but he did get with a taxi driver here who we will probably be using every day when our facilitator has to return to Kiev.  But thanks to language translators we have navigated the waters solo today.  I was telling Kathy the other day there is a movie that I really enjoy that has a line in it that states, “Sometimes there is something inside us that sleeps and sometimes the sleeper needs to be awaken.”  I will have to agree with this because we can become so acclimated to our own life and small corner of the world to the point that we begin to overlook the important things around us.  And it is when we step out of our comfort zone our sleeper awakens.

We should remember that we need to be thankful for what we have and not dissatisfied with what we don’t have.  Quite honestly if a huge disaster were to hit this country the people here, especially in the rural villages, are better conditioned of coping than we would be.  They can be self-sufficient if they need to be.  It is not uncommon to see a horse drawn carriage with an older couple on it headed to the village or back home.  Fields are for crops and livestock are tied near the road to graze or they are herded by a shepherd or husbandman.  Every day we have seen people of all ages working in their gardens and I will tell you they are not small gardens either some are quite large.   (Enough of that for today check back each day for more.)

Today we had a fantastic time with “H” we used some UNO cards to learn the difference in his number sign and the ASL number sign.  Also he taught me his numbering signs and I showed him the ASL.  Then we learned each other’s sign for the primary colors and I showed him pictures of the rest of our children and the grandchildren.  We have tried to give each of grandchildren a sign that will be used to distinguish them uniquely.  We have been observing them and have come up with signs that matches a unique characteristic that they have. And we showed those to “H” today and how each person was related in the family.  We learned the sign for each family members such as Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Husband and wife.  And he is beginning to understand, the assistant director has been most helpful and we are so grateful because all of the children just love her and that says something about her.

After our visit concluded today something happened that just filled our hearts with GREAT JOY, today “H” reached up and hugged each of us when it was time to go.  I think he understands why we are here and what our intentions are.  On the walk back to the taxi cab today Kathy just broke into tears of joy because she said “Ben he hugged me back.”  I too felt the same thing.  Maybe we are gradually gaining his trust because we tell him every day we will see him tomorrow and we show up.  That for me is important because if you tell a child something you need to stick to your word and don’t let the child down.