Chiriquí Chatter

This morning, I got up and went for a walk around the neighborhood. The air was cool and fresh and clean. The birds were chirping in the trees. Dogs that were is the neighboring yards greeted me with their warning to stay clear of their territory.

It was a good walk. I walked close to the new part of Plaza El Terronal and through a new housing development. I received a pleasant greeting from everyone I passed. Whether it was a worker walking to a construction site, or a little old lady trimming her flowers before the sun comes out or the bus driver picking up children to take them to school.

When I returned home, I was tired from the walk and yet energized because I had managed to bet my butt out of bed and get some exercise for a change. My cold is obviously much better. Not completely gone, but close enough.

Before eating breakfast I sat down and did my morning voyage through the news on the Internet. This morning I stumbled on “Iraqi bloggers at home and abroad” in the BBC News. This turned out to be a very interesting journey.

I started out by reading “Days of My Life”, a blog written by a teenage girl living in Iraq. She calls herself Sunshine. Here is a portion of her section describing herself.

I was born in 29/1/1992 , I grow up among well educated family. My school is far away from my home & the way to it is dangerous , so every day considered as a challenge. I have many dreams & ambitions, I wish that one day they become true…

The image at the first of this post comes from her blog. From reading her blog, one can only hope that somewhere in Iraq’s future, children such as she can flourish and achieve their true potential without their children suffering the same struggles that she and others go through on a daily basis.

Another blog, Neurotic Iraqi Wife shows a different view.

Here is a portion of how she describes herself.

I am an Iraqi woman who absolutely adores her HUBBY, but HUBBY is too busy rebuilding the country. We just got married 4 months ago so in reality I am still a new bride, or so they say.

Her descriptions of life and politics in Iraq are far from romantic. To be a newlywed and separated from one’s spouse and living in the conditions she is living in is really quite depressing. She pulls no punches and calls it as she sees it.

So as I sit here listening to La Oreja de Van Gogh sing a energy filled song of happiness, I remember that I should really give thanks for all that I have. My life is good. My health is good. The sounds in my neighborhood are those of happy birds chirping and not bombs blasting. My stomach is full from eating a good breakfast. I get to read emails from my children who struggle with their daily life, but are none the less happy and also are free from the life that is pictured by the Iraqi bloggers.

So my recommendation for anyone taking the time to read my latest drivel, is to take stock of your life and rejoice in what is good in it. Today, give an extra quarter to the one legged man at the Super Baru along with a pleasant greeting. Smile at everyone you meet and pray that others may find some happiness this day in what ever form it takes.

Tags: Reflecting