Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The Charm of Shy



What is it about shy people?

Natasha, my coworker and friend, embodies pretty well some of the traits of shy. She is reserved and sweet, she doesn't seem to be in a hurry to convey what is going on with her and turns a subtle shade of pink when you ask her to take the spotlight. She seems in no rush to demonstrate what she is about or to make her ideas be heard. An endearing smile and slight curving of her back inwards are one of Natasha's ways of responding when you ask her a personal question. She has that element of mystery about her.

For some people this might seem like an undesirable way to be, a liability. But I couldn't disagree more. Perhaps I find these traits so attractive because my nature highly contrasts them ... because I often times talk more than desirable, jump into things really quickly and share my feelings and emotions before knowing if the recipient can handle them with care. Because of this contrast, I find immense beauty in shyness. I love someone's ability to be patient with themselves; I appreciate the absence of inflated egos and uncalled for self-flattery; I value the outcome of being shy because it allows you to test the waters and take care of your heart before sharing your inner treasures. I love getting to know someone who is shy because is like a gift you open slowly, a pandora's box, a russian doll, that with each layer you remove makes you wonder what you will be given next.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child




I get so happy when people approach me and say: "Your son is so smart", or "He looks like such a happy little boy"; I usually respond with an oversized smile and several thank you's, but all along I am conscious the effort is not mine alone. My friends and family are the one's my heart really wants to thank.

Thank you for doing the dishes while I change diapers. Thank you for watching Finding Nemo and Pocoyo with Amaru for the millionth time, and still pretend is all new to you. Thank you for listening and letting me vent. Thank you for babysitting when I have a date, and for listening to how bad it went afterwards. Thank you for helping me with the stroller up and down the stairs, several times a day, several days a week. Thank you for saying "fudge" instead of fuck and "toño" instead of coño when Amaru is around. Thank you for letting me know is going to be OK. Thank you for carrying my load when I can't carry it myself.