It’s been one week in Cambodia. The smiles are sweet, the laughter is contagious, and the Cambodia people are the perfect embodiment of the beauty scattered across the country. Every morning I am showered with good morning and suostei. The soft buzz of bugs and the acceleration of tuk tuks dance in my ears. The coffee is amazing, the pants are colorful, and the city never sleeps. Although I am falling so deeply in love with this country that is nestled comfortably in Southeast Asia, I recognize the pain that plagues this hurting land. Pain of the past, fear of the past, and the painful fear that comes with remembrance. As with most people the past can be a dark time that we try deeply to forget. My past is dark, your past is dark, and Cambodias’ past is dark. The great thing is that is doesn’t matter how dark our past is because it’s behind us. The darkness of your past doesn’t defer from the radiant light that the future holds. So, in a land that is hurting for the past, I vow to leave a little piece of me and my heart in this country that is consumed in beautiful blooming lotus flowers. This is where the idea of goodbye isn’t goodbye bracelets come in. On my right wrist I always wear a stack of various bracelets with various meanings. I will leave a bracelet on the wrist of someone in every country I go to. This isn’t to hand out some cool jewelry, but rather to symbolize me leaving a piece of me on the arm of someone else. So as bracelets goes, so does a piece of my heart.
Forever and Always
Jazlyn
