She was excited for the interval, hungry for the next chapter. It didn’t matter that she was sitting in the middle of a straw mat in the heart of Africa with Portuguese and local dialects all around her. She had patiently waited, greeting everyone and sharing in hugs and hand shakes. She had made sure everyone was settled and happy with various picture books and white computer papers for origami.

And so she happily smiled, flipping to her previous page and soaking into her book when in an instance it was snatched from her hands. She turned to me and laughed at the irony. A young girl sitting beside her motioned quietly for her to wait as the girl looked at the book’s pictures sporadically included in the English chapter book. My little girl just waited, See, she knew in this kid cultural moment it wasn’t rude. She saw the young friend’s bubbling over excitement. Books are so scarce here that they’re super exciting. And besides, this is just how you love people here- you share when it’s not always convenient.

The grace my little girl showed was such an encouragement to me. It has been a slow whispering, an awakening to the true value. Books and things are always fun, but the hearts of those around us make us laugh in the ironic moments and share willingly with those around us; even when they don’t read English, were a little too excited to contain themselves, and when the irony of the situation is just too fun to not share with locked eyes and a chuckle. Kids here see with their hands. And they almost always hand it back momentarily. It’s just a game of patience while everyone gets a look before you get it back. Community is strong here. And how beautiful to see my little lady play her role so sweetly.

And sure enough, with patience and the passing of 30 seconds, my beloved little girl was back to her thirst-quenching exploration of the world of yet another novel character.

People will always matter more than things.

And irony is totally worth laughing at

there on a straw mat in the heart Africa.