A house a few doors down from where I live this year–open and symbolic to how the majority of people I’ve met here in Manila–more open than I expected.
I view myself as an ‘open book,’ open to others and nearly
always ready and available to share about anything, everything. But as I build
relationships with Grace (one of the kitchen ladies), Sharon (of Children’s
Garden), and Olive (of Children’s Garden), I am not nearly as open as I once
thought.
This is an interesting and unexpected lesson to learn from
individuals I have known for less than a week. There is a beauty in how these
women open up about their lives, loves, and losses as we cook, organize
bookshelves, take care of children, and work on a business plan for a culinary
school for street children.
