I stand beside a small hand painted sign that reads: Graciella Villaroel, Lote 31. It is 95 degrees, and the sun is intently radiating on us and the land. The dirt and cement blow from their respective piles in the breeze. I grab my shovel and wheel barrel, and walk back to the stone pile, we need 3 more loads.
Graciella, Baby Luciana, and Mama Lucia. These are the names of the family that will live in the house. Graciella is 26, her baby Luciana only a year, and Lucia looks in her 40's. Emma, Les, Sabash, Mike, and I, work with the masons Gari, Marciello, Oscar, and 13 year old Cero (Junior). We are all here to do whatever the Masons tell us. The first two days consist of digging holes, shoveling sand and stones to make concrete, and hauling brick. The work feels good, but I know I will be sore in the morning. We will all be sore in the morning.
The hours before lunch are long, but we look forward to what homemade meal the family will bring us that day. We set up chairs in the half finished home next door for shade, and appreciate the awesome meal prepared for us. Food and water never tasted so good!
Sabash is in his 50's. Today he worked too hard in the heat. His hands are shaking and he says he isn't hungry. Heat stroke. We all go back to work and he stays behind to recuperate. Nicole brings him a rehydration pack. That evening he decided to sleep instead of joining us for dinner. By morning he says he is ready to work again. He spent the entire next day in the hole laying brick. He's an amazing person.
At dinner Tom tells us about himself. He has three adopted children, one from Guatemala, one from Columbia, and one from New York. He is currently putting them all through college. Les is here with his niece, 16 year old Emma. Although an Uncle rather than a Father, you can see the powerful and positive impact this man is having on her life. I think of my stepfather Jim. Gordon and Greg came together, they have been friends for over 50 years. I smile thinking of Miranda, Rae, and I in 30 years. We are so lucky to have each other.
Tonight, I lay in bed thinking of Luciana and her muy bonita ojos de morena. I wonder if she will go to college one day, and if she will travel to the United States and elsewhere one day. I hope that she does. I hope that opportunity can somehow find her in her new home, in the neighborhood of Andelita. Minutes later, I am sound asleep...
