Irony

With the orphanage being an hour's drive away, we sometimes ride for a long time lost in thought. Other times we discuss all sorts of topics and tell jokes. This particular morning, Igor happened to ask us if we'd seen the movie "Deer Hunter."

I've been down this path before, so I quickly spoke up and told Igor that Robin lost a cousin in the Vietnam war and therefore can't bring herself to watch any movies involving that conflict. Igor nodded in understanding and mentioned that his family had lost a relative in the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan back in the 1980's.

I found the irony of the situation striking. Igor's government had helped the North Vietnamese defeat the United States in Southeast Asia and indirectly contributed to the loss to Robin and her family. Our government had helped the Afghan mujhadeen defeat the Soviet Union and indirectly contributed to the loss to Igor and his family.

Yet, decades later, people from both of these opposing ideologies are headed to an orphange to directly improve the life of a little girl.

Robin here. Today’s visit with Kristina started off a bit askew when we entered the playroom and found six young boys being guided along the balance beam by their teacher. We had apparently interrupted a therapy session that was not about to end just because we were there. So, after standing awkwardly in the doorway for a minute or two, Kristina took it upon herself to escort us to the empty music room where she immediately pulled out her Pixter from Papa’s briefcase and began to get to work on a connect-the-dots drawing. We spent about fifteen minutes in the music room until the music teacher arrived and told Kristina to take us to the playroom that was now empty.

Once in the playroom, we went about what has become a routine of trampoline jumping, ball tossing -- and at this point in time, electronic Pixter playing. About half an hour into our play I brought out Kristina’s daily treat -- today a pee-CHEH-nya (cookie) that she happily ate. She then rooted through my purse and found a 7-UP, which I had placed there before we left the apartment this morning. I permitted her to take a few sips to help wash down her cookie before putting it back in my purse with the promise that she could have a little more later.

Toward the end of our visit, Kristina went through my purse again -- this time she pulled out a comb and a brush and began combing through my hair, leaving one side noticeably flatter than the other. A little more Pixter, some jumping off a ledge onto some mats and a few tickle matches with Papa and it was time to head home. We walked Kristina up to her group, gave and received hugs and said pa-KUH (goodbye).
Igor is attending a wedding tomorrow and his friend Dennis will be our driver for the day. Dennis does not speak English, so I guess it will be a quiet ride to and from the orphanage. I just hope that Dennis does not drive like a madman! I’ve gotten used to Igor’s driving and I have faith in his situational awareness and quick reaction time. Most importantly, Igor’s car has seatbelts that actually work! I just pray we do not have to endure a wild ride tomorrow at the hands of our substitute driver. I’ll let you know how it goes…