Tressa is the true definition of a best friend. Her willingness to go above and beyond for anyone she cares about really inspires me to be a good person. We met at a softball tournament my sister was playing in almost 5 years ago. My sister's team had combined teams with another local team for a tournament and so I got to meet some new faces. For there on out, we have been the tag team of best friends. She is such a best friend that I haven't gone a single month without a care package full of the necessities: cold brew ice tea, oreo cakesters and cheez its. She makes sure to slip some fun things in there for the kids like silly bands and play dough too. I am forever grateful for her little pieces of home and can't wait to show her my temporary home.
What I love about visitors is the chance to share my experience with them, a chance to give a different perspective on our inherited American ideologies. When the immediate culture shock wears off I can see true compassion and appreciation in their eyes. They want to take pictures of the beach, the adorable children and the market women. When explaining the realities of those three things, they get it and appreciate it. Personally, I think cross cultural understanding is one of the best character traits you can have as a person and if I have the ability to help a friend see that, I'm all for it.
So, while Tressa is here, if there is one thing I hope to give her its the ability to appreciate American life, understand the beauty in diversity, and walk away from Grenada with a sense of compassion and understanding of the Caribbean.Oh, and hopefully a sun tan!
