The Elevator

I am going to be in Santa Elena, El Salvador in less than a week.

Words fail to express how much joy is bouncing around in my heart at the mere notion of that truth...

I was riding on the elevator today, up to the 8th floor of Blair that has become my second home, and I began to think on another home that I have-- where the air is hot, the fruit it sweet, and the people are beautiful, full of such heart. I couldn't help but to smile. I thought about my dear Merary, Karen, Fernando, Yacir, and Karena... and I instinctively felt the urge to reach out my arms to embrace them. I thought about Jimmy and Walter and Nory (not to mention Kenny and Edgardito!); how we laugh and serve together. I remembered the smell of authentic coffee beans, and the taste of a hot-off-the-griddle papussa, and I wanted to be there so badly it hurt a little.

I came back to reality-- thankfully-- a few short seconds later, and realized I was locked in a gaze, smiling a little excessively, with a 5th floor boy who stood across from me on the elevator.

Shoot.

Another person here who now, likely, thinks I am a freak of nature.
That number just continues to increase...