One of the last outings I went on during my January 2020 trip, was to the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. A magnificent event showcasing the incredible talent and attention to detail of horticultural artisans skilled in traditional forms.
Who does this? Who pays such attention to each individual petal and blossom in the most basic configuration, all the while keeping the big picture in mind? The time taken and the precision and the patience all speaks to both the extraordinary artistry AND the unhurried, meditative nature of the Thai culture.
These memories (and photos) serve me well in these days of waiting.
I wonder if the artists get eye strain, or neck strain, or lose sight of the final project while they are hunkering down into the miniscule work of it? Probably. Tedium will do that to you. When something takes a long, long time, when you're in the middle of it, it feels like nothing's happening.
It's time to be thinking about booking my next flight. At least I think it is. Then a war breaks out and new risk factors have to be taken into consideration. But at least my own stamina and well being is on the upswing, enough that I can once again imagine myself on the plane for that long. But when, exactly? I don't know.
When I was at the Flower Festival I couldn't help notice the juxtaposition of the old city walls against the colour-splash of fresh flowers. While the festival itself is only 45 years old, these bricks have overseen more than 700 years of life and living and festivals on the city streets. That's old. That's a long legacy.
I am so grateful for all that I keep learning from my Thai beloveds, from their culture, from their collective-psyche, from their love. And it's all worth it, I know this. Every teeny detail done in preparation for the big splash of things, it's all part of the longer story.
Right now in Thailand the Flower Festival is past. Our children are finishing up another COVID- interrupted school year, and making plans to head up to the mountains to visit living family members. One of our teenagers has graduated high school and is applying for university. She wants to be a kindergarten teacher. We are hoping to arrange much needed holidays (didn't happen last year) for Suradet andYupa. It's getting hotter, especially by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. And I wish I was there.
We have much to do together, even from this distance.
Rice and water and other bare necessities have experienced the inflated prices felt all around the world as we contend with the fallout from not just the pandemic, but now the war as well. My main job right now, the teeny flowers for the bigger picture, is to send out appeals and discern best practices for closing the gap in our 2022 budget. [As always, if you are not yet a supporter of New Family Foundation I am always happen to chat. Contact me at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.]
And always....our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for all those who faithfully watch over us by their support. And to God and His incredible care for our children as seen in the trouble He went to, to arrange for all of you to partner with us!
Blessings and joy and quiet peace to you all.
