Latvia

"You are a radical creation of every place you have ever ventured -  a piece of everyone + everything your heart has ever touched." - I Am Her Tribe

3 weeks ago, I didn't know where Latvia was or anything about this beautiful country. I can now say: the people I have met here have become a piece of me. 
​As I write to you on my flight from Moscow to JFK, I am bursting with love. (And the person next me is probably wondering why I keep crying!) I'm not totally sure how to process the intensity of this past week. I had the gift of travelling with a non-profit organization called 109 World to spend time with a group of children in Aizupe, Latvia. These children were from various orphanages and government run institutions. I believe I can speak for the entire group of volunteers when I say that in such a short amount of time, we have all been deeply touched in a way that will change how we experience each day.

One of the themes of this social mission trip was expressive arts. We colored, painted, and collaged as we laughed and played with the kids. One project was to create a door out of construction paper. On the outside of the door was to be anything we wanted: feathers, glitter glue, magazine cut outs, etc. The door represented tapping into each of our unique potential. How we can create anything we want in this lifetime, by walking our own path and acknowledging our effect on the world. Along with the door, the children filled in this statement:
From this world, I would like to receive ___. For this world, I would like to leave behind ___.

One child I was working with reflected:

"No pasuales es ceru iegút mīlestíbu. 
Es vélos astát mieru."
In English he is saying:
From this world, I would like to receive love. For this world, I would like to leave behind peace.

With this simple affirmation, he showed me that we all have something to give. Even if we are broken or hurting. Especially if we are broken or hurting. We must be open to the most healing medicine. Love. We can always love. 

The door project was also a reminder that we must be conscious of our place in the world. Every decision we make results in a vibration upon our planet. Each day we have the choice of how we will interact and what we will create. How we will be of service. What would you like to receive? What would you like to leave behind to this world? 

Way too soon, it came time to leave the children. Of course they knew we would be leaving. As did we. However, what was unexpected was the love that came from each of the children revealing the impact of our connections. Playing and laughing quickly shifted into long hugs and tearful goodbyes. Even though our visit had been short, in that moment it became crystal clear the powerful impact the trip had on everyone that was involved. 

What really struck me is how wonderfully brave these children are. In many cases, they have had everything taken away from them. They have had their hearts broken. Moving from home to home. Unsure of where they will spend Christmas each year. Despite this background, we were welcomed with deep love and appreciation. In their eyes was the purest form of love. Without expectation or attachment. Love with forgiveness and with presence. That is unconditional love.
We all have something to learn from these beautiful children. This bravery to love, even when it's temporary and conditional, is the reality of their lives. They absorb the love in that moment. And with this love, they are "strong again".  

I am immensley grateful for the experiences of this past week. I will hold each child and the lessons they have taught me, close to my heart forever. To be brave enough to love and be loved. To love without fear or restraint. To love those around us while we can. Especially when we have been broken.  And to be open enough to give and receive the transformational power of love, that makes us strong again. 


Xo,

Molly 

Photography by Soda/Lime (@sodalime_)

Photography by Soda/Lime (@sodalime_)

Photography by Soda/Lime (@sodalime_)