Valentines
People are still talking about Valentines. I asked a friend a couple of days ago if he did anything last Saturday. No. He didn’t have any money to go out. His mate asked if he bought anyone a rose? “Not this year. No money.” He continued, “but if I did, I wouldn’t just buy one... I’d buy five single roses, give them to five girls and then just wait and see which one loves me back!”
I had a great day on February 14. After the full day of soccer, a group of girls in their late teens invited Malis and I to share a picnic dinner on the grass outside the casinos.
Malis and I brought drinks. We packed the soft drinks, water & cups into a cooler bag and then headed to the girls’ place. They share a pad on the grounds where they work. It’s pretty basic (thatched roof, concrete floor etc.) but they seem to like living together and having some independence. They had prepared most of the food by the time we arrived at about 6pm. The pork, vegetables and garlic were all chopped. All that was left was to add noodles and stir fry the ingredients for our simple Valentines picnic dinner.
Sometime after 7pm we found our spot on the lawn. Half of Poipet was out. There were young people sitting on the grass eating rice boxes, snacks and beer. Toddlers played with balloons attached to their wrists and cried when their toy escaped into the night sky. Young girls ran around playing catch, not caring if their best dress got dirty. Aunts, uncles and grandparents called children back to the group when they wandered too far.... It reminded me of lantern festival in Hong Kong. In our group, the take-out boxes and chopsticks were distributed to each person. Ice and soft drinks were shared. The tub of fish sauce mixed with chilli & sugar was placed in the centre and we talked a little as we ate. After dinner two of the girls ducked off to buy some snacks. They came back with the promised food as well as a single rose each for Malis and I. It was touching to receive from these thoughtful young women. When dinner was finished we wandered around the park talking with people we knew. It was a bit like high school- roaming between groups, everyone dressed in their best jeans and T-shirt.
On February 15, I heard that a group of guys from one of the local churches had also been busy on Valentines. They went to their pastor’s house, cooked three dishes for the family, set it on the table with a letter of appreciation and said goodbye. These youth showed loved to a family who pour out their lives for their church.
At our place, the decorations for Valentines Day will stay up for the whole month. It’s still worth having an excuse to talk about the power of little things done with lots of love.
I had a great day on February 14. After the full day of soccer, a group of girls in their late teens invited Malis and I to share a picnic dinner on the grass outside the casinos.
Malis and I brought drinks. We packed the soft drinks, water & cups into a cooler bag and then headed to the girls’ place. They share a pad on the grounds where they work. It’s pretty basic (thatched roof, concrete floor etc.) but they seem to like living together and having some independence. They had prepared most of the food by the time we arrived at about 6pm. The pork, vegetables and garlic were all chopped. All that was left was to add noodles and stir fry the ingredients for our simple Valentines picnic dinner.
Sometime after 7pm we found our spot on the lawn. Half of Poipet was out. There were young people sitting on the grass eating rice boxes, snacks and beer. Toddlers played with balloons attached to their wrists and cried when their toy escaped into the night sky. Young girls ran around playing catch, not caring if their best dress got dirty. Aunts, uncles and grandparents called children back to the group when they wandered too far.... It reminded me of lantern festival in Hong Kong. In our group, the take-out boxes and chopsticks were distributed to each person. Ice and soft drinks were shared. The tub of fish sauce mixed with chilli & sugar was placed in the centre and we talked a little as we ate. After dinner two of the girls ducked off to buy some snacks. They came back with the promised food as well as a single rose each for Malis and I. It was touching to receive from these thoughtful young women. When dinner was finished we wandered around the park talking with people we knew. It was a bit like high school- roaming between groups, everyone dressed in their best jeans and T-shirt.
On February 15, I heard that a group of guys from one of the local churches had also been busy on Valentines. They went to their pastor’s house, cooked three dishes for the family, set it on the table with a letter of appreciation and said goodbye. These youth showed loved to a family who pour out their lives for their church.
At our place, the decorations for Valentines Day will stay up for the whole month. It’s still worth having an excuse to talk about the power of little things done with lots of love.
posted by pip @ 7:27 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home