Cake & Sandia

It’s drizzling outside after a down pour turned the creek behind my house into a rushing river. These kinds of afternoons in the Peace Corps offer a Volunteer a nice chance to reflect. The tattering of water on the tine roof is like sound from that Bose speakers test sound track; A sweet meditative noise that maintains one inner spirit calm.

My birthday passed this month with a heart felt surprise of cake and a watermelon from my host family. At 26 it’s been a long while since I’ve actually had a party of some sorts. I gave those up when I thought I had graduated from childhood. However, I found a renew joy in the act of celebration since living in Latin America. Dominicans love to make any excuse to throw a Gran Fiesta. Life really should be lived as a celebration. I always remember the voice of my father at different memorial services, “We are gathered together to celebrate this love one life, not mourn their passing. So I will promise to gather together with friends and family for future birthdays to celebrate the fact that they are part of my life and I appreciate that. If the impoverished of the Dominican Republic can buy a cake to share with me, what I can’t I buy a cake and watermelon once a year to share with whoever’s around.

On another note, my host mom left for New York City early this morning to take care of a niece who is undergoing chemotherapathy. She didn’t want to have to leave her country and I certainly didn’t want to see her depart, because I don’t know when I’ll see her again. However, family has to come first in life. We were talking outside the other night over a plate of warmed up rice from lunch and we came to the conclusion that there is only one thing that you cannot change in life… and that is Family! One may be able to change one’s address, move to a warm region in the winter and a cooler region during the summer months, add more tobacco or pepper to their gumbo, sport the latest Michael Jordan high tops, chose to which God they wish to pray, read the news of their choice, and even change their legal name if desired. Nonetheless, your family members will always be your family members. You can run from them, chose not to talk to them, but you shall forever share the same blood and last name. This means they are a part of who you are just as you help to define their identity.

Now when we begin the conversation about development around the world (social, economic, you name it…) I believe our connection and healthy relationships with our families is a #1 priority. If Peace Corps DR is going to leave me with one lesson it is what Amparo Payamps, my host mom, spoke of over a warm plate of rice the other night. “Family matters! Period.” So embrace yours. When someone doesn’t feel so hot or is out of $ they’re going to go searching for that loving family member. And that loving family member should feel obligated to help them simply because they are family. They understand that they have a mutual bond that is stronger than any other relationship. The social ills of the world may find cures when we admit that each and every one of our brother and sisters, parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews deserves our sincere care and unconditional love. If all the last names of the world do their part and takes ownership over aiding those to which they are closest, than the sustainability of mankind will be assured. Solutions are always closer than we make them appear to be.

So next time it’s your birthday, invite the family over to cheer and eat together as you were raised.

Sandia or “watermelon” is always a great treat.

Jared