Wednesday, November 23, 2011

DARGILING LIMITED

Dear Mom and Dad,

A young man would like to have an arranged marriage. I’d like to tell you that I have accepted. Our family has to come up with three cows, four chickens, two monkeys and a stray dog in order for the young man’s family to be satisfied. If you can’t come up with these animals then I will just have to stay here longer to pay off the dowry.

Love, Caleigh

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am really sorry… but I seemed to have misplaced my passport. I won’t be returning for sometime.

Love, Caleigh

Dear Mom and Dad,

I forgot to take my malaria medication these past couple days. Because I forgot I got malaria from walking in New Delhi. I am afraid that I am now in the hospital recovering. Don’t worry, I’ll just stay a few more months.

Love, Caleigh

JUST KIDDING!

I am not always the easiest at loving others or be loved by others, but I had a change today. On our little walk down to our school for the first day, the kids spotted us from far away. They immediately jumped up and down yelling in excitement that we were there. I have never met these kids before, but they hugged, kissed, and gave me the greatest smiles in the world. Seconds after we arrived, boys had gotten us chairs to sit on and the teacher brought us water. We couldn’t accept the water because we only drink bottled, but the kindness meant more than water could ever mean. They treat us like gems and I learned how I should treat everyone around me. They don’t care about what they don’t have, they are so grateful to what they do have and what we give them. I recognized one of the girls fin my school from a picture that Greg had shown us. Her name is Neelum. She lit up my life in the few hours that I spent with her. When we were playing games she would hold my hand and call me didi, which means sister. I had not even known her for five minutes and I was already her sister. That is why I made up all those excuses of why I can’t leave this amazing place. I am finally trying to become the person I have always wanted to be.

Dad, the car ride up to Chamba was so breath taking that is was worth driving on the edge and getting carsick.

Mom, the part about the arranged marriage may just come true…

I love you mtwct. I mean it.

Caleigh

3 comments:

dollpretty said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Brent Burton said...

Three cows, four chickens, two monkeys and a stray dog are on their way. Have a nice life. We've rented out your room. Say hello to the inlaws!!

Love, Dad.

Brent Burton said...

Mom says to send pictures of the wedding.

Dad