Another trip to SMT

We just returned from a week-long trip to Santa María Tzejá with a delegation from Needham, Massachusetts. It is always a privilege for me to witness and take part in the partnership between these two sister communities. Better yet, my dad came on the trip! Here are some pictures that he took.

During the week we were there, Chely attended Santa María Tzejá's kindergarten class. Here she is with classmate Aida heading to school:


She enjoyed learning and drawing and sweeping!


Kayalá blissfully asleep in her Aunt Juana's arms:


My sister-in-law Rosa just gave birth to a healthy baby. Here are the two of them with the proud older brother Sandino:


The delegation from Needham performs at a community party:

The preschoolers also performed a song and dance number - Chely was so excited to take part:

With a new friend, both wearing traditional blouses from Cunén:

Rolling, tumbling, and playing in the grass:



Bean face!


Taking everything in:


Back in Guate City - Kayalá has come down with a cold but is still in generally good spirits:

Trip to SMT

A few photos from our trip to Edwin's hometown - more coming soon, I hope!

Third cousins - Kayalá and Semadi Ch'umil:

Chely laughing with Abuelito (Grandfather):

"Planting" a garden with cousins:

Comfortably asleep in the hammock:

Time and Life

Conversation at bedtime
January 18, 2009


Chely was wondering why the days of the week repeat themselves.


Chely: Why do days pass by and pass by and then the same day comes again?

Ali: You mean, like one day it is Monday, and then days go by, and then it is Monday again?

C: Yes.

A: Good question. Hmm, well, there are certain things that happen every time it is a certain day of the week. Like every Friday you have gym class. The days of the week help us know what is going on each day. Time is so big, and that’s one way to organize it.

C: Are we going to live here forever?

A: We’ll live here for a very long time.

C: But when we die, we won’t live here anymore.

A: That’s right, honey. But that won't happen for a long time, not until we are much older.

C: Right that Tato won’t die for a long, long time?

A: Hopefully not for a long, long, long, long time.

C: Right that when we get older and older and we get sick and die? Like, one day we are alive and the next day we die. But not for a long time.

A (cuddling close): Right. Now we have lots of time to be alive.

C (cuddling closer): Would you like a blanket?

Back in Guate

Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope to write about our holidays and post photos from our trip to Santa María T soon, but in the meantime here are pictures of Chely and Kayalá back in Guatemala City.

Joyous holidays to all!

I'm not sure how much I'll be on the internet over the holidays, but chances are not much. So I want to take a moment to wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Here's a festive drawing by Chely:

She actually drew it originally for her great-grandfather, who is about to turn 90. But I think he'd be happy to share it with you all.

And a message that Chely typed for her loved ones far away:

alavyw ad amisyu

(I added a couple of spaces.)

It reads:

I love you and I miss you.

That pretty much sums up our sentiments.

We send warm greetings and hugs across the miles to family and friends.

Peace, joy, and wonder be with you.

Twas the Night ...

She did this completely from her own initiative - no parental pressure, just lots of child-requested reading sessions with a particular book. My favorite line: "turned with a joke."

Happy birthday, Uncle Will!

Today we send warm birthday greetings to Uncle Will in DC! Uncle Will is a kind and caring uncle, and very playful! Chely once remarked, "Uncle Will is sometimes a grownup and sometimes a kid." (He's turning 31.)

We love you, Uncle Will!