This morning was filled with packing and cleaning, in a race to squeeze in all of our goodbyes. Ernesto came downstairs to play Old Maid with the boys, while I cleaned up. The boys were bickery, and their game was not fun, which left everyone feeling sad. Had we known this was the last game, we would have all joined, all laughed, all cheered appropriately. Because, truly, heartily, dearly, seriously, Ernesto was the greatest. Such a good friend. Thank you Ernesto for your beautifully spoken English, for your games and fun, for making my boys so happy!
With an hour to spare, we ran down to The Shack, for one last cream cheese bagel (Nate loved the cream cheese) and to bid farewell. The Shack befriended us, fed us and made us feel at home, each day in Costa Rica. Thank you (mucho mucho) Harry, Joselin, Rosa, Jay and Becca!
Leaving the Shack, I started to feel a little Dorothy in Oz-ish. We hadn't had our morning dive into water, so the three of us walked our dirt road, sweating like piglets. We saw our beloved Pinka, and left a bag of food for her and her owner.
When we unlocked the gate, Marie-Cecile was there to say goodbye. She gave me a great T-shirt from the Institute, so I can represent in Cambridge, and she hugged the boys. She told us how Ernesto was sad to see us go, and how he would miss the boys. I left their email addresses to stay in touch. Of course we all promised to write and visit, and I sure hope we do. I hate how quickly life swallows and dictates one's time and heart. Marie drove us to the end of the road, where we were to meet our ride to the airport. Saying goodbye was much harder than I thought it would be, and I felt horrible for being a sweat bomb and hugging her in yuckiness. She is a warm and honest person, with a very clear sense of right and wrong, good and bad, inspirational and disappointing. Marie and James remind people of the life--the stories of the tree families, the songs of the oceans, the painted flash of colorful baby geckos. They laugh musically, and teach appreciation, respect and how to listen to our earth. They are doing, not watching, and they are caring, not ignoring. It was such a pleasure to meet your family, and we all feel so lucky to have been invited in for a month. Thank you.
And once she pulled away, we drowned in our sweat, and waited with our pile o' packs. Max ran down to the beach to say goodbye to Jeff and Justin, and returned with our Scarecrow, Rene. He left his post to say goodbye and saluted the boys. Rene told us how nice it was to know our family, and brought some tears to my eyes. Had I been sharper, I would have let him know how much we learned from him: his ease and comfort with the natural world, and the way he communicated the beauty he saw in the ocean and earth, helped the boys feel at peace with the beach. These truths were articulated simply through the rhythm of his manner, and dance in his voice and eyes. He was playful, which broke down any and all doors of fear; setting the boys loose to play. Rene was an accidental but very appreciated friend. Thanks so so much, Rene.
Our van pulled up, and that was it. The guys and I watched our home for a month drive by, and pointed out the window at the things we loved. And while our bodies were so happy to be in an air conditioned van, we were all sad to leave, and quietly bummed.
Driving away
Salut Tasha
Goodbye Bali
Adios Senior Harry y Seniorita Joselin
Goodbye Lorena (beautiful photo by Marie-Cecile)
Goodbye Oceano
Adios agua pipa y coconuts
Goodbye Potrero