The geek has returned from her tour of four impoverished countries on the other side of the world. Just as I did not so long ago, she is struggling with jet lag and the juxtaposition of our normal Western lifestyle and the scenes of the more desperate existence others lead that are still echoing inside her head. When your world view is enlarged so jarringly, it takes some time to adapt back to living a life so relatively mundane.
I've done my best to reassure her, to let her know that she's not alone in this transformation. It took me well over a month to stop obsessing about the dirt that was now so obvious, that I had never noticed before. I think what she saw was perhaps even more soul-wrenching, but the similarity in our experiences is probably close enough to allow me to give her some comfort, some validation.
As much as I am giving her this, it is something that fulfills me. I share, I help, and in return I am validated as well.
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