Tammi's World

A Ramble.....

Today is a perfect day here in THE valley. Absolutely.

Just a hint of chill in the air (perfect for just a sweatshirt and jeans), clear blue sky. It's open burning right now so the smell of burning leaves is everywhere. You hear the dull rumble of the lawn tractors out trying to get the last of the leaves. The bikers are taking advantage of the exceptional weather - you hear them going up and down the highway through town. I'm kinda jealous of that.

The diner was quiet. Just me and a few other tables. Everyone taking their time and enjoying the peace. I had missed seeing the "girls" so it was nice to catch up on what was going on with them. They were asking about my travels so I told them a few funny stories.

Then I just sat and sipped my coffee. The music in the background there is country. Always something I enjoy - not my preference anymore, but enjoyable none the less. Sundays is golden oldies day.

As I was reading my book a song caught my attention. Ann Murray. Could I Have This Dance. Holy Cow - does that take me back...........

When I was in college part of the requirements to graduate was working as a missionary. (I think I've mentioned this before, but bear with me please) I was in Costa Rica and my assignment was working in a clinic for mal-nourished children.

Now I need to tell you I am not medically inclined in any way, shape, or form. Nope. But I do love children, plus I was a "volunteer" as it were so I figured I'd just be cleaning things up and helping in the back ground. Plus, I was only 19 years old - they wouldn't give me too much responsibility, would they?

Yes, yes they would. And they did. My first day on the job I was put in ICU. ICU for cryin' out loud. I pulled the backless gown on over my clothes, slipped on the required mask and went in to do what ever they needed me to.

I was to feed the babies. They handed me a small, precious little boy. He looked to be just a few weeks old. No, no he wasn't. He was just over 6 months old. As I held him the monitors they had attached to his small thin body started making strange noises. To cut to the chase, that beautiful baby boy died in my arms that morning. It put me over the edge.

I left for the day and tried to get reassigned. No. No way. It was what the college wanted and felt was the best fit for me. But they did agree I didn't need to be in ICU, so they got me reassigned within the clinic.

The next day I show up and was led to my new assignment. It was the last "staging area". There were 14 children and I was their sole care giver during the day. They were mine. They ranged from 8 months to 6 years old. They were healthy enough to go home soon, as soon as they could find a place to send them.

You see, many of the children were "repeats". For whatever reason, some poverty, some abuse, they didn't get proper nutrition. So they ended up in this clinic. After a couple of visits they were placed in foster care. My area was the group waiting for someone to want them.

Now, these were all Tico children. In other words, they didn't speak any english at all. My spanish at the time was limited. But it got better pretty quick. And some of my english rubbed off on the older ones. It was pretty funny to hear them come out with some spurt of english that they had heard me mutter.

So - it was my job to keep these children clean and fed. And most important entertained. So I did what I did best at that time. I sang and danced with them.

Now - back in the States, my roommate at that time HATED my choice of music. I liked rock. Hard rock. Her? Not so much - her favorite artist was......Ann Murray. (see - there really is a connection in this tale) Rather than have any issues I'd just let her listen to what ever she wanted. So I heard a lot of good ole Ann. And her songs just stuck in my head.

Fast forward back to Costa Rica and those babies. We'd go down to the play area and I would take each child in turn and pick them up. We'd dance around the room with me singing one of two songs. Could I Have This Dance, and I Just Fall In Love Again. I can still hear their giggling, see their smiles as I held them up and we twirled around the room.

Those six months flew by for me. Oh, I found time to have some fun and get in plenty of trouble (remind me to tell you about the 3 times I got arrested while I was there) but the best part of that time were those children.

I almost brought one home with me. Seriously. But, being so young and still in college, it just wasn't the right thing to do. But ohhhh I wanted that little girl. Her name was Jessica, and she was just perfect. I can't hear an Ann Murray song and not wonder how she, and the others, are. If they broke out of that cycle. If they are happy. If any of them ever think about that time.

Yeah, hard to believe. Ann Murray is associated with one of the best parts of my life.

Posted by Tammi at November 5, 2006 02:51 PM | TrackBack