Doing Good

I still need to post more pictures from our holiday to South Africa, but that will come a bit later today.  Right now, I want to make sure I write this, while it's fresh in my mind.

I've been in somewhat of a funk for the past few weeks.  There are a lot of reasons, but nothing huge.  As much as I've adapted and learned over the past 18 months, I think I'm still struggling with truly accepting my life here.  I've said before - I don't feel like I belong.  I have a lot of guilt over the undeserved blessings that we have, and there are many days that it feels like a sea of hopelessness is just outside my door.

I try and help where and when I can, but it never feels like enough.

Our maid, Sao, is a single mom.  She has three daughters that she is raising, and now she's also raising her young nephew. She comes to work every single day, with a smile on her face.  She is endlessly kind to me, to the kids, to Adam, to Fletcher.  Her quiet presence makes our house feel like a safe haven in this strange place.  I try to tell her, in my limited Portuguese, how much I appreciate her.  Today I think I was able to show her.

Beautiful Sao!

I made her a dress.  Such a simple thing, but she was SO happy!  She's never had something made just for her, and all of the money she makes goes to support her family.  She thinks that I gave her a gift, but I feel like I got the best gift of all.  In this one person's life, just for today, I made things better.  That's enough, at least for today.