Son Alex is in Mexico now, teaching English at a Waldorf schgool in Guanajuato. Today was his first day and his email sounds very upbeat and positive. he says the children are sweet and very eager to learn. He got a glowing report from his mentor after his first day.
He has carried a little statue of his mirthful Buddha in his pocket for the past 8 years. Every pair of pants wore out in the pocket area. It became his good luck talisman. So much so, that he became a bit obsessive about it, fear of losing it. Also a bit ritualistic (something like kissing it 3 times and rubbing its belly every time before he put it into his pocket. Truthfully, I told him it kinda started to creep me out.
But the good news?
Right before he left he had it tattooed on his thigh, right where it would sit in his pocket. And he had it tattooed just as it was at 8 years old: broken arm and paint worn in certain places.
And as promised, I created a safe haven for his little statue, with an altar for transition. It was a lot for Alex to transform his ritual and honestly, I am very proud of him. It's not easy for a superstitious person to transform their fixations. I've had my own in the past. haven't we all? In fact, it just occured to me that I have one now...I always close my eyes and offer my finances up to a higher power when I log onto online banking. I've done that for years, through richer and poorer. So I guess I might be creepy as well.
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