The Importance of Family: A Word or Two about Lucky and Jose

It’s been a rough week — hard, unexpected news; struggles with subjunctive; cancer attacking my family; tumultuous tug-of-war with my heart over a breakup.

You know you can always count on family to be there for you when life gets rocky. But what about the times when you are off in another country, far away from anything familiar, and hugs from loved ones? Thank God I have a family here in Antigua that, every day, is becoming more and more a family to me, and less of just a house in which I live.

Let me introduce you to two very special people: Lucky (Lucrecia) and Jose. They have graciously opened their home and hearts to fully welcome me into their lives, and arms, literally. This wonderful couple, happily in love and always laughing (that’s their secret to so many years of happy marriage through hardships) has become a blessing to me this past week or so by being an amazing support system.

Jose and Lucky celebrating my birthday away from home — they got me a lovely cake!

Jose and Lucky both come from families FULL of children, each having 11 or 13 siblings. They have worked through so many hardships and trials to be where they are and to get what they have. Generous, full hearts reach out to people from all over the world as they house students here in Antigua (or ambassador’s wives, or rich European diplomats, or the regular returning community of Christmas in Antigua celebrators).

They have three children and have stressed the importance of education to all of them, somehow sacrificing everything for their daughters to go to college (something their own parents didn’t see the value in, and pushed back against). Now their daughters are dentists and doctors. They treat all their home-stay guests with such kindness and patience, but it’s when you really make that connection with them and spend the hours over meals talking with them about all subjects (ranging from earthquakes, to dance parties, to culture differences, to pop music and embarrassing stories) that they adopt you as a child of their own.

Lucky in front of her house with the altar for the procession of the seven pains of the virgin Mary.

So when I break down over the simple question of “how was your day?” and cry, the first thing I encounter is two sets of open arms, the space to cry and talk, and hopeful words of advice and faith. I really couldn’t ask for more, and I am so pleasantly surprised that after just three weeks I feel like I have an extension of family in Guatemala. That’s the importance of family – and the importance of understanding that we can all be that to each other, to those we meet in our lives that need hugs, words of hope, or just simple, warm hospitality when far from home. I am always going to remember the kindness of Jose and Lucky, because no matter what hardships you have been through, you can always be kind and loving and family to those around you. I am also going to always remember them because never have I laughed so hard at every single meal — all things can be made better through sharing laughter, always remembering to smile through all parts of life. Even the hard weeks. Months. Years.

Thank you, Jose. Thank you, Lucky. I am blessed to have you in my life.

Rocky Days call for Grace

Those were a few rocky days I just had there. I didn’t know going back to my heart hometown of Sequim could be so tumultuous, dramatic, and confusing. But here are the good things that came out of it:

I realized once again how blessed I am with my brothers. They are the best in the world, and I know they would do anything for me. As my brother Leif’s facebook status shows: “Leif Hendricksen is about to go beat the crap out of my sisters d-bag ex unless he leaves her the hell alone.” Albeit a bit violent and fierce, but protective and loving, as brothers should be.

Also, my love of showers grows every time I have the chance to wash clean and just stand under the hot water and cry it out. Some of my most fervent prayers to God are in the shower.

I am finding myself praying more for my future husband. Knowing God has it all planned out is reassuring and encouraging me to press on, ask for forgiveness and strive to be better for that unknown, sweet man.

Now I am in Oregon visiting my roomie, relaxing, and giving my heart and thoughts time to heal. I can slow down, take care of life, and try to be a blessing to someone else for a change, rather than always thinking of my stupid, selfish wants.

Thank you God for forgiveness, family, rest, music with lyrics that pierce my heart with their poetic exactness, and most of all your Comfort and Grace. I am happy that Grace makes life unfair, cause it seems I always get the better deal.

Here is the song my heart is singing now: The Special Two by Missy Higgins. Not all of the lyrics are what I am feeling, but I think it has a good message of what I am going through. I won’t hold out for anything more, though.

Bad days can be put behind me, just like the rainy road I drove today. Newness comes pouring out of the clouds now. Amen!

Namaste– Kira