“Once a week I go to the house of Patricia Ramirez. I go because I'm part of a program called Intercambio: Uniting communities, a nonprofit that started in Boulder. They train volunteers to teach English to immigrants, at whatever location meets their needs. That location is often their home, so they can learn while watching their children. I go to the home of Patricia Ramirez. ...
One week I went there on a Saturday, and that was the best time of all. When I entered their house, I was embraced with chatter, laughter, and good smells. Rosario and Patricia were in the kitchen, cooking up a special soup made with lemons, pork, cilantro, and whole ears of corn. Eddie was sitting at the dining room table - helping his son, Eddie Jr., with his school work, while teenager Kathy sat on the sofa, chatting endlessly on her cell phone. The TV was playing a telenovela, a Mexican soap opera, and Marie Cruz was playing with a friend and her many toys. I went upstairs with my two students, where we sat on the bed as they read from Frog and Toad Are Friends, a children's book I love. We also talked about our lives so they could practice speaking English. They spoke of growing up in a dusty rural village, where daily outings to street markets gave them mangos, chilies', and a sense of community.
When I left that day, Patricia gave me a large container filled with freshly made soup and, as always said “gracias!” many times. “Gracias” Rivva. “Gracias” for coming. “Gracias”. I breathe the smell of the soup, the children's laughter, the faith, the noise in the family's love, and I said “gracias” too.”
INVITATION: …I said “gracias” too.
Recipes for a Sacred Life, Rivvy Neshama. Pg. 28-29.
Rivvy Neshama is a writer, editor, and community organizer whose spiritual path draws from many sources: Eastern and Western religions, Native traditions, and her mom. Along the way, she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Bryn Mawr College and master’s degrees in comparative literature, social work, and education.
Despite her aversion to change, Rivvy has been a teacher and social worker in Harlem, a college instructor in Queens, a campaign manager in Boulder, and a Tarot card reader at Macy’s on Halloween. She was the founding development director of Colorado’s Intercambio – Uniting Communities. And as a co-founder and first director of Transportation Alternatives, the advocacy group for bicycling, walking, and public transit in New York City, she was profiled in Ms. magazine.
We will meet for the Community Table Monday, March 17th at 4:30 PM ET. Contact us for information HERE.
We will begin our daily Shared Solitude: Embracing the gift of silence in community offered by our Courageous friend Emily - March 3rd through April 18th. See details on our Calendar HERE
Learn More About Circles of Courageous Commons HERE
Rivvy Neshama paints a picture of this family, of this home... in her description of visiting the home of Patricia Ramirez and her family. It is a beautiful picture of a family and a home filled with love, joy and care. It speaks to the universality of love and hospitality. "I breathe the smell of the soup, the children's laughter, the faith, the noise in the family's love, and I said “gracias” too.”