Being Late...Being Thankful

This past Saturday , I signed up to visit an agricultural farm. It was a day trip returning at 3pm. I had to work at 2pm and found someone to cover for me, and I requested permission from my supervisor. To set the precedent here: I have a pathology around being late. I knew there would be problems as soon as we drove out of town(see picture#1) Getting to the interstate did not provide much relief( picture #2). Finally, we arrived at the “marina” in a small village with river access (picture#3). The ticking clock in my chest was seemingly audible. After about 10 minutes of cruising down the river, the motor cut out. The “captain” was able to restart the motor; however it continued to cut out at five minute intervals. Canoes on the river seemed to be making better time(picture #4).

We arrived at the plantation, met by the owner, a kind welcoming woman who left her job in the city to her start her business as fruit farmer, providing clamping, camping, tours, and fine dining on her property above the river. She welcomed us with coconuts filled with coconut water and many exotic fruits. I experience the best banana ever, picked fresh off the tree. ( picture#5-#11). At this point it’s 12 noon and i’m ready to go, knowing that if we left now, we would arrive back on time. Our guide was super excited to take us into the next village and learn more about life in Madagascar. Now, I’m irritated with myself for my time consciousness. In hind sight , I wish I had allowed gratitude to take over now, recalling the verse, “in all things give thanks”. We met a family milling their rice after harvesting. The outer shell off the actual grain of rice has to come off before cooking. (see picture#12 with the stick in clay pot) Because I have a time issue, I buy rice already to eat at Trader Joe’s, to me this all seems out of reach. Time doesn’t seem to be an issue here It can take 5 hours to go 100 miles on the good roads. Pot holes can look like a swimming pool, and axels break like tooth picks.

We retuned to our boat with assurance the motor had been fixed. Within minutes of cruising down river, the motor stopped and did not restart. Fortunately, the current was in our favor. After 15 minutes of drifting, we were grabbing loose floor boards to help paddle. After about 45 minutes the motor started and we arrived back at the “marina”.

I was only two hours late, and when the Ship heard we were stranded, someone stepped up and worked my shift. I’m hoping to be more present and less anxious for the remaining days and being thankful for what is!