Fiji Gratitude #8

I am grateful for the way this place, these people, this project, has touched & changed the hearts of each member of my family. Jimmy presented our tatau (formal goodbye) yest. Very hard 2 do. So many people from Mali came 2 drink grog w/ us one last time. Very sad day, but also joyful. So today is the day we leave the island & start long journey back home, but all 5 of us believe we'll be back.
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Fiji Gratitude #9

I am grateful. For everything. I'm without words tonight. Emotionally spent. The Fijians held a feast in our honor today. Beautiful speeches were made to us. Beautiful gifts were given. Tui Mali cried. We cried. Even the kids. Such open-hearted people Fijians are-much we can learn from them. Last full day on island tomorrow. More goodbyes. Farewells are so important in Fijian culture, but so hard on our hearts...
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Fiji Gratitude #10

I am grateful for boat rides-flying across the waves, sun on my shoulders & wind in my face, beautiful islands all around me. Everytime I go to town, I think,"Man, this is the best commute to work, EVER! I love being in the boat, even when the sea is like an angry bull-I feel safe in the hands of our boat captains. Being in the boat @ night is prob my fav - full moon, calm sea, no mozzies. Ahh.
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Fiji Gratitude # 11

I am grateful for TIME. Time to think, time to grow, time to heal, time to flow... One of my favorite aspects of living here is the slooower pace of life. It's not that we don't have plenty to do - we do! But the pace is such that we seldom lose our breath or connection to each other - big contrast for us from what we've been used to back in the States. This new way of being we WILL carry w/ us, wherever we live.
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Fiji Gratitude #12

I am grateful for the lessons in good old fashioned belly laughter I've learned from living with playful Fijians. Best. Medicine. Ever. They laugh & play like children, something I think most Americans could use a healthy dose of. I'm going to miss the sound of each of their distinctive laughs. If you've been here, you know exactly what I'm talking about!
Sent via BlackBerry from Vorovoro Island, Fiji!

Fiji Gratitude #12

I am grateful for the lessons in good old fashioned belly laughter I've learned from living with playful Fijians. Best. Medicine. Ever. They laugh & play like children, something I think most Americans could use a healthy dose of. I'm going to miss the sound of each of their distinctive laughs. If you've been here, you know exactly what I'm talking about!
Sent via BlackBerry from Vorovoro Island, Fiji!

Fiji Gratitude #13

I am grateful for Fijian healing ways, which affirms for me my faith in natural medicine. In our time here, we've seen fractures, sprains, headaches, rashes, burns, boils, ear/eye problems, & lots more treated thru massage & herbal medicine. Everyone has their healing specialty which is passed down. Massaging each other is a way of life here - one of many ways they take care of one another.
Sent via BlackBerry from Vorovoro Island, Fiji!