As I sit to write this long overdue blog post, I'm interrupted by the doorbell, yet again, on this warm Monday afternoon. At the door is a neighbor boy here to play with my boys. He is the 3rd boy to ring the bell since we arrived home from school and work today. It's not unusual...especially as the weather becomes warmer and the days are longer. Our doors, front and back, become revolving doors of boys going in and out continuously. At times, it's exasperating. Other times, I know we're immensely blessed to have a neighborhood full of kids.
As this boy runs into the house, the others shout greetings to him and they all congregate in our family room downstairs. I can hear their conversations while I'm cooking dinner tonight...they are loud...as always. What catches my attention is their talk about what they are having for dinner at their houses tonight. You see, every one of the boys downstairs is from a different culture. One is Russian. His parents speak very little English in their home. The other is Korean. His mother is from Korea and his father met her when he was stationed there. We also shared a duplex wall with this couple almost 20 years ago before any of us had kids. The 3rd boy is from a home where both parents are deaf...another culture altogether. The all have much different experiences in their home than we do. Yet. These boys have so much in common and love spending time together. Their differences don't matter to them and at most...they each think the differences in food, religions, and clothing are interesting...but not that much.
Soon, Kobe shouts up the stairs, "Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight"? I shout back, "Chili 5 Way and Cauliflower Salad." Hoops, Hollers and "YES, my favorite" is what I hear Kobe say. I hear the other boys asking..."what is that...Chili 5 way?"
They learn from each other, share experiences with each other and generally just have a good time together. So, yes...the blessings abound. Living in a culturally diverse small city in the middle of Missouri is truly a blessing to all of us.
Thanks For Stopping By!
Jackie
As this boy runs into the house, the others shout greetings to him and they all congregate in our family room downstairs. I can hear their conversations while I'm cooking dinner tonight...they are loud...as always. What catches my attention is their talk about what they are having for dinner at their houses tonight. You see, every one of the boys downstairs is from a different culture. One is Russian. His parents speak very little English in their home. The other is Korean. His mother is from Korea and his father met her when he was stationed there. We also shared a duplex wall with this couple almost 20 years ago before any of us had kids. The 3rd boy is from a home where both parents are deaf...another culture altogether. The all have much different experiences in their home than we do. Yet. These boys have so much in common and love spending time together. Their differences don't matter to them and at most...they each think the differences in food, religions, and clothing are interesting...but not that much.
Soon, Kobe shouts up the stairs, "Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight"? I shout back, "Chili 5 Way and Cauliflower Salad." Hoops, Hollers and "YES, my favorite" is what I hear Kobe say. I hear the other boys asking..."what is that...Chili 5 way?"
They learn from each other, share experiences with each other and generally just have a good time together. So, yes...the blessings abound. Living in a culturally diverse small city in the middle of Missouri is truly a blessing to all of us.
Thanks For Stopping By!
Jackie
Hey good to see you back after 6 weeks, but then who's counting. It would be so cool to have friends with different ways and customs. All I had was cousins from other states and they sometimes seemed foreign to me!
ReplyDeletePatti
It feels so good to know you are able to provide that for your son. Friends are so important to the kids and good friends who expand our horizons are even better.
ReplyDeleteI have that same revolving door at my house. And I feel the same way about it. Sometimes I love it and I love that the kids want to play here. Other times...
We've put our youngest in a Spanish Immersion program at school and we love the exposure she's getting to another culture. Her accent is dead-on and it's adorable.
Jackie welcome back! Missed you and this was a nice post to get back to blogging. I'm with Kobe, Chili 5 Way is a fav of mine too!
ReplyDeletei looked the recipe up, it sounds good. now i would like the califlower salad recipe ok, ok.
ReplyDeleteHello Jackie! Good to "see" you. I missed you, and am thankful all is well!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I have missed you! Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJackie, I think it's wonderful to understand and appreciate different cultures while at the same time knowing that they're still just boys who like to hang out together.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's nice to hear from you. I've been praying for your cousin and you.
Hugs ~Andrea~
What an incredibly fun post Jackie! I *love* it that your boys have all those boys to play with and enjoy! Now, since it got rave reviews, I will have to check out that recipe of yours. :)
ReplyDeleteMany blessings,
Camille
Beautiful moments like those are to be treasured forever. Lovely boys you have!
ReplyDelete