Family Pictures 2
Two new families moved in and somehow it got communicated that they might want pictures too. We have now lived almost a year across from the original families. We exchange names every other week and greet each other every day several times. The kids share their bikes with their kids and ask to go play now. We walk over into the building site and say more lengthy hellos. It feels really nice - it has been meaningful to me. The fathers are actively and kindly involved with the kids. The kids aren’t doing labor. The mothers spend a lot of time hanging out with each other, sharing cooking and cleaning and working on the site.
The two new families that has come make four total. They each live in one of the four corners of the site, complete with clothes lines, a house, and a swept out entry way.
I offered to come on Dasara which is a mostly South Indian holiday celebrating Lakshmi who is the God of wealth (a woman also). Everyone puts big giant leaves on theri cars and in their businesses to honor Lakshmi so she will bring wealth and success to homes and businesses. There are fireworks but mostly a lot of Poojas offered and sweets shared.
Again, all the families dressed up. This time it was a very happy event. And, as you will see from the pictures, it was evident that status was part of the communicated effect for them. I got so much out of it - I find myself desparately wanting to be accepted by them. I have refrained from giving them anything besides time and pictures and they have never asked for anything - except the pictures.
seriously in india blog
Sunday, October 21, 2007
