#261: Visits and Views

I love reading these little memories of my dad. Especially ones that illuminate his openness and natural curiosity for others and the world around him. He had a mind that could easily be changed once his heart took over... which it always would. I miss him so much but I'm happy he inspired me to always be a learner and lead with compassion above anything else.

- Amanda

VISITS AND VIEWS

I love this pic. My Dad took it in 2011... my backyard in El Salvador. He came to visit and we went for a walk to the falls with these little kiddos/my close friends & my chuchito (my wild doggie). I never thought my dad would visit me there - sleep on the floor, bucket bathe outside with cold water, use my outhouse, and carry a Spanish dictionary around. He was mad when I told him I was joining the peace corps after college. And he wasn’t ecstatic to learn I’d be living 27 months in one of the most dangerous countries in the world - - it also has some of the hardest working & kindest people, but that doesn’t come up in the News or Google.

After I had been living in El Salvador a few months and telling my Dad stories, he started to share with me how he had changed his views based on what I was sharing with him. He started to share so much more with me about his experiences with the Latin culture and how he was trying to learn and understand more. It meant so much to me. And I’ll never forget his visit.
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I see a lot of him in my girls. And in myself.
And in the world around me.
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Along with my best friend. Who also traveled the world with me.
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Grateful for my angels. And miss them so 🤍