How to see kindness by returning to that which sustains us

Do you know your neighbors?

My favorite neighbor.

There is a kindness within people that sometimes we do not see. We are afraid to talk to our neighbors; not here, people speak to one another here in Colombia.

I live in the countryside; everyone knows everyone. We are the outsiders, and I am the only “gringa” in the neighborhood. I speak to almost everyone and ask questions.

My broken Spanish and no one ever bats an eye about it. They say no, “esta bien” and Bienvenidos.

A man rides his horse to work every day; he just moved his cows to a new location. The bull is beautiful, black and white speckled, who I saw run so fast when it was time to eat.

I love cows, but the bulls have the worst reputation of being “mean” to me; they are the sweet, gentle giants who always let me pat their noses.

Everyone here has animals, dogs, pigs, horses, cows, and gardens. It is the way of life.

So when they see me outside working in the garden, they say hola, and it looks good. Today I want to bring my neighbor some lemons and ask if I can go collect cow poop in his field for my compost.

I think this Sunday, I will start attending the church down the street to become part of the community. I…