I was reminded recently - once again - of just how fortunate I am. My eldest daughter, Beth, is currently serving in the Peace Corp, and she is posted to a small town called Palestina de los Altos, in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. She is a health education worker there, teaching the residents about hygiene and disease prevention and, on the side, teaching about twenty young children to speak English. From the time Beth first applied to the Peace Corp, I have been so proud of her that I often have trouble containing it.

My wife and I took a two-week vacation earlier this month to visit Beth for the first time since her posting a year and a half ago, and she had planned a wonderful itinerary for us all (She was able to take some vacation time and accompany us for the whole trip.). We saw some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen, and met some of the warmest people I have ever known. Many of them had little but the clothes on their backs and a small adobe shelter, with cold running water and perhaps a light. When it got cold at night - and it did, even in August, at 9,000 feet elevation - they would pull another blanket around themselves because they had no heat.  

With as little as these people had, in the way of possessions, they didn't seem or act impoverished - after all, they were seeing to it that their children learned a new language, and creating the most beautiful, brightly-colored fabrics I have ever seen. And they couldn't wait to tell me - in front of Beth - how much they appreciate and value her, even though none of them had ever said that to Beth before. She was blown away by all the nice things her Guatemalan friends would say to us about her.

International travel almost always makes us more thankful for what we have. And it will be a long time before I take for granted ice in drinks, well-paved roads, working thermostats. But what made me feel most fortunate was the knowledge that I am the father of a young woman who has learned the value of service. Of helping others. Of being part of something bigger than herself. That whole pride thing is still the best part of being a parent...

 Bruce