Today;
simply yesterday's tomorrow, verdad?
There is so much to write to you all about; yet, it's been hard to discern what is “important” to communicate and what is extraneous at times because every day and every moment has been essential. This truth has been a dominating conviction for me as I've been here on the Race, but especially in Honduras. We only have six days left before this country becomes but a memory. Only six small days before we disappear out of Central America completely, but somehow I find myself dreaming up plans for beyond the Race. Truthfully, it has been hard for me to live present in the moment some days. It has been difficult to rear my plans in and recognize that what I am doing right now is a dream. You would think that would be a pretty easy thing to comprehend on a daily basis, right? The Race just feels normal to me now. Living in these conditions among the local people has given me a sense of commonplace despite being one of the two gingers in all of Honduras. For this reason, I feel at home. For this reason, it is easy to find my mind wandering into the future, the unknown and the mystery of “what's next?”. So the chief concept I've been walking in this month has been living day by day. Each day is renewed. Each day brings opportunities that I didn't have access to yesterday. Pulling my head out of the clouds and appreciating the very moment I'm walking in will surely be a principle close at hand and heart for the duration of the Race and life.
So, speaking of living in the moment..
I've been working at it.
Let me tell you a little story..
Yesterday my team and I spent a fair portion of our day toiling the earth, picking at the cement covered ground to expose other layers of rock below. There is a vision to have a section of grass planted on the property in front of the girl's home and so we worked to make that happen. (Side note: I found a Do It Best bag there at out work site. New! I nearly died of shock. Family Hardware followed me all the way to Honduras! Hah!) Well, we took a break for lunch at twelve, after which Jordan and I wanted to talk to our contact Tony about his vision for the grass and gardens. We found him at the front of the property near the entryway watering his little flower gardens. Parked near the entrance was a nice little motorcycle. I sighed as I walked over to it. “I just want to ride one of these things,” I thought to myself.
I ran my hand over the rim of the headlight and up to the speedometer, barely allowing myself to come in contact with it; after all, it wasn't mine. It was then that Jordan caught me staring longingly into the distance. “What's up?” he asked casually. I paused, then turned to him, very animated and with a pouting lip, saying, “Agh, Jordan, I just want to ride one of these things So badly! They look like so much fun!” I let my brewing curiosity begin to get the better of me. I cocked my head towards Tony who was standing by and asked who this bike belonged to.
“Oh, it's probably one of the police officer's. Why do you ask?” Tony questioned.
“Ah, man, because, I dunno. I just think motorcycles are awesome. I want to ride one so badly, you know?” I paused, then asked what was really on my mind, “Hey Tony, you think they would let me ride around on one? I mean, that would be insane, hah!”
“Sure! I mean, why not?”
“Wait, really?” I pressed, excited and anxious at the same time.
“Yeah! Why not, you know? The worst thing they could say is no, right?”
I turned to Jordan who was standing by the conversation, “Jordan, what do you think? That would be nuts, right? Come on..” Jordan looked at me with 'matter of fact' plastered on his face, and shrugged, “I dunno, do you want to ask?”
“Oh I don't know,” I fumbled, “Wouldn't that be strange?”
“I mean, they can either say yes or no, Abby.”
“You're right, but,” I slowed, becoming nervous amid the fervor, “I don't know!”
“Well, if you're not going to ask them I will for you”
“What! Wait!” I laughed, jogging up behind Jordan who promptly began to walk over to the police. I was grinning from ear to ear despite how ridiculous I felt asking to ride this guy's motorcycle. The police looked up from their posts at the two gringos that were fast approaching. And then it happened:
“She has a question,” Jordan stated I Spanish as he motioned to me.
“Whose motorcycle is over there?” I asked in Español. One of the guards, Holbin, raised his hand. I laughed nervously but happily under my breath, thinking just how ridiculous this must be. I spoke quickly, “Well, would it be possible that I could ride with you one time before my group leaves this month?”
“Oh, sure. I'm not busy right now, so when would be a good time for you?”
“Wait, right now?” I choked.
“Right now? Sure!”
You know how when you have severe thunderstorms and the lightning can be so intense as to light up your whole lawn as it strikes? That was me. I lit up like I had just won the lottery, or better, two lotteries. I could have lit up an entire country! I jumped and exclaimed and thanked him about a million times in the course of four seconds. I turned to Jordan wide eyed and grinning like a fool, implementing the biggest high five known to man as Holbin walked over to his trusty steed. He lent me his helmet (for some reason I didn't think to take my shades off.. uh.), I got on a motorcycle for the first time in my life and proceeded to cruise the streets of Honduras.
How's that for living in the moment?
Absolutely made my day! Hah!! 😀
“This is the day that the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
