I have heard the concept of living life where you only say yes.  Just say yes to everything – say yes to life.  I’ve tried this before, and of course, it isn’t literal – you don’t say yes to everything, but it’s the spirit of it.  So, let’s try it again.

Sunday I went to the market and got food for the week.  Monday after school I was going to wash the veggies and prep meals.  I was also going to try to research going to China since I have to leave Thailand when my job is over.  When my contract is over, my visa may be canceled.  Then I have 24 hours to leave the country.  After that, I can come back in on a 30 day tourist visa.  I have wanted to visit China so this seems like a good time.  Anyway, those were my intentions for Monday night.

Monday after school, Noi told me that the father of the lady that has the coffee shop died.  She is the one that remembered from the first time, what I liked to drink and she is so nice.  Noi asked if I wanted to go to the funeral.  No, I just want to go home.  I’m so exhausted.  But, isn’t this exactly why I came here, to experience another culture?  So, I decided from now until I leave, I’m just saying yes and trusting that all the other things that have to get done will get done somehow.  First we went to a tiny shop in the neighborhood.  Noi said it was a small shop, but it had everything.  She needed envelopes and I badly needed a coca cola.  This store was smaller than my bathroom, but it had food, snacks, a coca cola, a bunch of other things and envelopes.  It did seem to have everything – kind of like a magician’s bag.  We got two envelopes.  You put money in the envelope and put your name on the outside to give to the family of the deceased.

When someone dies they do a funeral type service every night for 3 nights.  This was the last night.  They put a large event tent over the road in front of the family’s house.  There was a very bright white light at the intersection with a rotating red light on top so people knew where to go or not to drive down that street.  It was bright and blingy enough I thought maybe there was going to be a dance party after, but no.  So basically everyone sits in plastic chairs in the street in the front of the house under a long tent.  The family and monks are in the house or in the yard – not sure as we were in the street.  There was a lot of chanting and then the monks and family walked out.  We got to give her our envelopes as she came by and greeted us.  She seemed so touched that I came and I thought she might cry as I handed her my envelope.  Then they passed out food for the people that came to the funeral.  I felt very calm and grounded during the funeral service even though it was extremely boring.  I’m very glad I said yes to this and got to experience this part of Thai life, especially for a lady I think is wonderful and kind.

On the way home, Noi asked who would take care of me when I got old.  In Thailand, it is the responsibility of the oldest child to take care of their parents once the child is an adult.  She has told me on several occasions that she thought our government takes care of us when we are old.  I think she’s starting to get it that our government doesn’t provide much for us – she thought the government took care of us when we were sick, out of work, old, etc.  So, if our government doesn’t help and I don’t have children, who will take care of me?  I said no one.  That wasn’t a good enough answer for her.  So, I told her I would move back to Thailand and live with her.  This was the correct answer.  She told me if I moved back to Thailand, I would not have to worry about anything.  I would be taken care of.  So, there, my retirement plan is secure.  Check.

(c) All rights reserved Kimberly Fiore