"If you light a lamp for someone else, it will also brighten your path." Every day, I am in awe of the generosity, love, kindness and selflessness that the Myanmar people show and I could never accurately describe the feeling that this gives me. These things show up in random acts of kindness countless times each day, many of which are by people who know me but also from complete strangers.
To my Myanmar family who has welcomed me so openly and treat me as their own daughter. Who feed me one, if not two, meals a day. Who enthusiastically teach me their language and culture, even if at the end of the day I forget most of what they have taught me. Thank you.
To my family's neighborhood, who always welcome me with a smile, tell me I am beautiful, let me play with the babies and always offer me the food on their own plate. Thank you.
To the Myanmar man on the bus who barely speaks English but makes sure that the bus driver knows where I am going and that I get off the bus at the right stop. Thank you.
To the random people on the side of the road who will miss their own ride to stand on the side of the road and wait, in silence, with me until we can hail down a car. Thank you.
To the 14 year old waiters at my favorite roadside tea shop who make me smile and mimic my silly dance moves from across the room. Thank you.
To the students who volunteer their time to let me try out my teaching skills, who actively engage in my activities and make me smile so much it hurts. Thank you.
To my fellow volunteer's host mom who insisted I eat a snack and drove to the market to buy me an apple and deliver it to me in class because I was sick. Thank you.
To the Myanmar orphanage who welcomed me and fellow volunteers into their home, shared their food, stories and overflowing love with us. Thank you.
Most importantly, to the country that has shown me more love than I have ever felt and has made me feel at home more than 8,000 miles away from the only home I have ever known. Thank you.
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