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I had a glorious massage this morning. Khun Weaw was back from her Songkran vacation. Khun Sulee was in the shop, as well. When we finished, I got out my phone and showed them the photo of my water gun and then the one of me ready to shoot it for the Songkran Water Festival. Both ladies looked shocked, then both started laughing and talking at once, patting me on the back and pantomiming that I was ‘strong’ and a ‘thumbs up’ gesture. I was able to find out that Khun Weaw had just visited her family and hadn’t participated in the water fights, and she figured out how to ask me if this was my first time participating. Khun Sulee had gone to the temple to celebrate the New Year.
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Then I was trying to tell them about the wonderful Songkran bowl ceremony the nursing staff did for my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home yesterday. I got across “Songkran” and “bowl,” and they looked like they were starting to understand. Then I remembered I had a photo that showed Harvey sitting in the wheelchair with the staff sitting around him on the floor. He had on the real flower necklace and had the bowl in his lap. Then there was no question. They were pleased and said it was ‘lucky.’
They speak more English than I speak Thai, and that is to say, neither of us do well in each other’s language, but it doesn’t make any difference. If you want to communicate with someone, you will do whatever it takes to get the idea across, be it sign language, pantomime, pictures… and it will happen, breaking any language barrier.
I finally thanked Khun Weaw IN THAI!! for my massage, and then did the same to Khun Sulee, who was kind enough to take Khun Weaw’s place for the recent absences for house renovations and then Songkran. We all smiled, and bowed, and Khun Weaw even patted me on my way out of the shop.
Respect, gratefulness, and appreciation will find a way. 🙏🏻
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