Love is an Action

"Love is not a feeling; it is an action." I just caught the end of Dan in Real Life as I changed from my morning to my afternoon swimsuit. "Love is not a feeling; it is an action" is the catch phrase from that flick, and I like it. In the past three weeks, it has been difficult for me to find time to process my tales with my sister, let alone, my feelings and/or actions online.  Here is what I know....a partner in crime on the island resulted in more fun, more spending, more love and less time.

When we first got here, it was a lovefest of introductions. “This is my sister Jenn,” should have just been a t-shirt that I wore. As a side note, for the past two days, every other person I run into – from the Rastah guys on the beach to the taxi drivers on the corners to Thomas who owns the hotel  to numerous children ask, “Where is Ms. Jennie?” or “Where is your friend?”

Jennie and I immediately introduce ourselves as sisters, because we have been mistaken as a lesbian couple numerous times. These stories used to crack our dad up.  I blame Jenn’s hair and the fact that she drives a truck. In truth, we are both typically reading sports biographies poolside and, well, our shapes and take no prisoner energy lend to a stereotype.  In short, it did not take long for my sister to need no introduction in this small community.

Not having the students in session for school was odd for me. To assuage my mother’s fears that I would make a habit of Christmas in Belize, I can confidently assure everyone that I missed my pattern of going to school everyday. I do not come to Belize for the sun and Belikans; I come for children and renewal of water. Many of the kids found us immediately, like heat seeking missles looking for the warmth of hugs and attention. Seeing them “out of uniform” of their assigned school dress code actually took away my ability to see each of them specifically – a familiar facial expression or a favorite smile became lost in the homogenied modern fashions taken from their culture of the north. 

Playing BINGO on Friday night’s at the Lion’s Den is one of the high points of my week. The Lion’s Den is a facility in the middle of town ran by mostly expiate Lion’s members; this place hosts everything from BINGO to Sweet Fifteen parties. It is a great night to meet locals. I sit with my regular posse of women who come with their mothers,  children, dogs and sometimes even a husband or two.  The BINGO shark is Busy, who just happens be the most popular and successful “girlfriend for hire” on the island.  She is just one of the town’s colorful personalities. Jen and I had luck only one Friday, winning just enough for pay for the night’s expenses of playing.

I had heard that Santa was going to be at the Lion’s Den the next day.  So, Jenn and I rounded up our usual suspects and headed into town. We sang carols the entire way.  They prefer Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Also, as we walked past the cemetery, I asked the boys, “Do you know how many people are dead in the gravesite?” “No,” they said. “All of them,” was the obvious answer. After that, every time we walked by Gloriel would say, “Do you know how many dead in dere?  All of does!”It never got old.

We discovered that we were really early for Santa Claus. Also, there are different rules about seeing Santa here.  Turns out that families bring actual gifts for their children in advance.  Then, when Santa calls their name, they come up, sit on his lap, get  pics taken and given the gift. It was then that Operation Lion’s Den went into full love action.  We sent the boys off to play for a couple hours and we booked it back to the hotel.  We both had brought Dollar Store and gently used clothes and toys from home.  Also, while back at the hotel, I asked Carolina (the housekeeper) if her daughter Emiline would like to accompany us when we returned.  She came back asking if the babysitter and her kids could come too. Sure - the more the merrier.  Suddenly, finding shirts and toys for 3 boys evolved into a gender mixed group of eight -  ages nine and younger. We wrapped dresses and toys making sure names were spelled correctly on the packages as Santa never misspells your name!

Santa was on Beliezan time. The event was suppose to begin at 3. At 4:30, he was just arriving. During the 90 minute wait, children were coming in off the street asking, “Miss, does Santa know I am here?”  Jenn and I would ask, “Were you nice all year?”  Of course all of them assured us they had been.  So, I would hitch a golf cart ride back to the hotel and pull another used promotional frisbee that someone had donated.  Also, each kid that came in to see Santa had to  pay $2.50, which got them a paper bag full of treats and a juice.  After about the 4^th kid straggled in, I just looked at Jenn, we both just smiled and nodded.  Yep,  whatever the cost, we were in.  On a couple occasions, Jenn had to step away as it just because too emotional.  When these kids heard their names called they sprinted to Santa.  You have never seen happier kids to receive a used Frisbee.  Had it been a new ipod, they couldn’t have been more excited!  Jose told Jenn on the way home, it is the first Christmas present that he had ever received.  We thought that the day before where we stood on the top of Lamini to say "Hello" to our father on anniversary of his death was “the best day EVER.”  We were wrong; this one was.

On Christmas Eve, Jenn and I donned our Santa hats and headed out to deliver gifts. Ivo’s family was our first stop before heading to Gloriel’s family for the actual Eve celebration.   These wacky Belizians begin their celebration at midnight with a large meal. We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy but they served it all cold. Also, they served this with sandwiches. The desert was cake.  There are fireworks and by the time it was all done, we rolled into bed around 4 am. To be welcomed into the ____ Family is one of the precious gifts I have received since coming to the island.

Christmas morning we got up in time for Christmas Mass. It was a beautiful mass with less than stellar singing. Jen and I belted all of our favorite carols out  - with love and volume.

On Christmas Day, we waited until late afternoon to put on the Mr. and Mrs. Claus outfits that I had brought.  We borrowed a sleigh aka golf cart to go to the poorer areas of the island – clothes, toys, shoes, books were distributed. The miracle was that we had just enough for every child and family we encountered. Love is an action.  The love we received was palpable.

Christmas night, Jenn and I invited Gloria, Mishelby, and Gloriel to go to Cocoblanco, the 5 star restaurant that Shelby and JR had just began working.  We knew they would not be able to share the evening unless we went to them. Also, we knew that they would never be able to afford to eat in the restaurant unless we took them.  So we got all dressed up and took the water taxi.  I don’t know who was more proud Shelby when his family walked in or Gloria to see her husband and son working is such a beautiful environment.   It was a fantastic way to celebrate Chistmas.