What's to Miss?

June 7, 2009
What a final week in Monteverde we had. There were goodbye parties nearly every day and night. These parties were organized by the school, local residents, students, school staff, international families, neighbors, etc. Some parties included dancing; all had good food and good cheer. Friends also invited just Kaz and me to their homes or out for dinner to say goodbye.
I will miss so many things about this place. Everything from the amazing bird songs I hear every day to the door of George’s car popping open three times while driving from Monteverde to Cerro Plano, a trip of a mere one and a half miles.
Several people told me Kaz and I will be missed, too, as we apparently brought “so much” to the community. One person called me “rock solid” and told me my objectivity and consistent and caring nature will be missed. Another told me she doesn’t think she would have survived the semester without me.
Several people have specifically told me they will never forget Kaz and that they will miss his energy, talent, creativity, and friendship. He made quite a strong impression on everyone here, from little children to his teachers to the cashier at the local grocery (by always chatting with her and sometimes dancing to the music when he walked into the store) to some of the oldest members of the community. His maturity especially showed through when he rose at Quaker Meeting two days ago to say he was holding Wolf Guindon in the light with the hope that Wolf would be strong so as to recover quickly from his recent hospitalization. Kaz went on the praise Wolf for his many contributions to the community, including being one of the Founders of Monteverde. In doing so, Kaz addressed the pink elephant in the room, as no one else had mentioned Wolf’s hospitalization despite the fact that it was on everyone’s mind.
Many people have registered disappointment when they discover we will not be returning after the school break, especially my students and members of the larger community. Most have just said they appreciated our friendship and that we will be missed.