Loved Because of Another
The moment we set foot in Nicaragua, the heat and humidity took my breath away. The scenery was full of contrast - lush, rich rainforest vegetation surrounding homes and people of poverty. It was the last week of August and I was part of a church group bringing musical instruments to a small church at El Rama. I'll never forget the warm welcome I received every time I was introduced as "la madre de Melanie." My daughter Melanie had previously accompanied work teams to El Rama, using her Spanish language skills to translate. Eyes sparkled and lit up in welcome, as people of all ages including children, looked at me for the very first time. They would say, "Ah, de madre de Melanie" and envelope me in hugs of welcome. I had never felt such love, all because of my daughter. They didn't know anything at all about me. My accomplishments meant nothing to any of them. My thoughts of self-importance were totally exposed. We were planning to give workshops dur