Back.... and In the Meantime

Yes, I'm back! I've been back in NC for about a week. It was not an easy trip back with flights, etc. I am thankful to have made it back in one piece.
It has taken awhile to recover.

Haven't even looked at all my pictures yet. Will do that soon. It's too early. These things take time, especially after time with my precious abuelos (grandparents). Such holy time.

Haven't been back at the wheel yet. Am too tired. Will do that soon too.

So, 'in the meantime' (great song by Peter Mayer too), I'll show two pictures of two gifts that my abuelos gave me.

Above is part of a blanket called an 'ahuayo'. This is a typical Aymaran blanket. I am half Aymaran so this is perfect for me. Babies are often carried in ahuayo blankets on a woman's back (they tend to live there the first years of their life), or anything else is carried in ahuayos that need to be transported from one place to another. They're known for vibrant colors and sometimes the name of the weaver is woven into the blanket. In this case, a woman named Amalia made it and my abuela (grandmother) wove the outside hem. As you can see, she used two colors. Bolivians are resourceful. They find a use for just about anything. And this ahuayo? I treasure it already.

This pic is part of a mantilla, which is a shawl worn around a woman's shoulders in the Aymara culture. My grandmother wore this, I'm sure. Gosh, this picture really needed a flash!

These are amazing gifts. When I look at them, I think of my abuelos (grandparents). Both of them are Amyaran people.

Most of all, I hope that what my abuelos have taught me about God and life...that all of those gifts are known in who I am in the days to come.

And it is a bit comforting that although loved ones are far away, the memories can always stay with me here, and that God is there too.

Gosh, Bolivia is too far away.

More soon...