For a few weeks now, Ben and I have been adding and checking off line items on the Bangkok Bucket List. After a failed attempt at the planetarium on Saturday, due to “Science Week” and hoards of middle-schoolers, we planned to make movie night a reality.
When I arrived at Mercy 2 later in the day, Ben had already carried the screen and stand to our designated movie area. The boys were downstairs doing their nightly meditation and I watched on as Mr. Tech savvy hooked up the DVD player and the projector. We decided it would be best to have the movie shown in a side room, off of the rooftop. It was the ideal space, open to the night air on one side, but still covered, offering a large white wall.
We weren’t really sure what or how it was all going to work, but we were blessed with a clear night sky, rare during rainy season, and the perfect spot for the showing. We waited apprehensively to see if the DVD would play. The sun was setting over the visible Bangkok skyline and the natural light faded from the room.
Everything was still. Suddenly images danced across the white washed wall – it worked! Our faces were those of an enthused youth. It seems like such a simple task, but nothing is ever simple here, and the ease in which it all came together was remarkable.
I stood in the dusk filled room, looking towards the wall and I was in awe. It was one of those moments when you’re so overcome by serenity and beauty you can’t believe it’s real. Pure elation made it impossible for Ben and I to stop smiling. It was p e r f e c t.
The kids were going to l o v e it.
“Ben, what time is it?? I have to go get the girls.”
With a quick glance out the window Ben replied, “I think our guests have arrived early.”
Inexplicably excited for movie night, I sprang to the stairs and rushed down to the front gate to greet the Mercy 3 girls, who were ready to go in their brightly colored Disney nightgowns.
“P’Alex!!”; a million little arms wrapped themselves around my legs and delicate hands grabbed for mine . After spending most of my time with the boys, it was so nice to have the girls over. We made our way up the stairs like a swarm of bumble bees, buzzing about so close together we looked like we were moving as one.
When their faces saw the room, all set up and movie ready – well, there are no words to do my feelings justice. Their excitement was contagious and I thought back to all the movie nights I’d had as a child. Within minutes the small room was filled to the brim with fifty boys and girls, ranging in age from four to eleven, all in their pajamas.
“I have goosebumps,” Ben whispered.
It was obvious the moment had not escaped him either.
The girls pulled me to the floor and suddenly my lap was flooded with little nuggets clamoring for that coveted spot. I was surrounded on all sides and completely at ease. At any given time there were at least three girls in my lap, girls and boys on either side holding my arms in their tiny hands, resting their heads on my shoulders and one of the Mercy boys hanging on to my back. I turned to look back at Ben. No words were needed. How had we not done this sooner?
For over two hours, I had kids sleeping on me, playing with my clothes, and trying to talk to me about the movie in Thai. When they laughed, I laughed, when they sang along, I attempted to sing with them; I was happy because they were happy. Saturday night children’s laughter filled the streets of Klong Toey, rolling out over the tin roof tops from the second floor of Mercy 2.
When I spoke to Dad on the phone tonight, I told him all about our night. We talked about compassion in education and how it translates without language. If you care, the kids know you care, whether you can literally tell them or not. He told me how Mom and he had spent the weekend with a family Leanne knew from Rome. They were visiting Boston, so my parent’s invited them to come spend the day in Marblehead. Dad told me about the two little girls, who only spoke Italian, and how he’d spent the afternoon building sculptures out of straws with them. He noted, “When they left, we had barely spoken more than a few words, but were the best of friends. That’s the real beauty with kids, you don’t need language.”
Hmm, wonder where I get it from…
There was magic in the air Saturday night and while I can only do my best to describe it to you, it is one of those moments you must be present for. While movie night with Mercy 2 and 3 has officially been checked off the bucket list, it’s officially something Ben and I plan to continue to do while we’re here.
The moment the images flashed upon the wall.
Picture compliments of Benjamin.
And to close:
In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you.
(Elizabeth Gilbert)
Insist on happiness,
ABA
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