Sister Anna twisted my ear this morning. It was in response to some smart remark I made, but was half a joke, since we’d discussed the meaning of the term the previous week. To “pull someone’s ear” in Brazilian Portuguese means you are annoyed enough with someone that you’d like to reach out and wring their earlobe hard enough to make them squawk.
I thought later about how many, many little things I learn every day, and how vividly I sometimes remember learning very little things. Here are some that come to mind:
I’ve learned from the sisters that in the small chapel, where there is only one kneeler, to get up if someone new enters the chapel to give them a turn kneeling. You can always kneel on the floor instead.
I’ve learned from the adorable servers at the Traditional Latin Masses how to do a nice genuflexion, back straight, knee hitting the ground, done with poise and grace. There’s less poise and grace if I’m having a creaky knees day. The altar servers also taught me how to flip ones skirt around when one has just knelt, so that it isn’t hung up on ones dress-shoe heel (which is a hem-ripper if one tries to stand up without having freed it first; done that).
I’ve learned from the birds the joy of prayer at dawn.
I’ve learned from pretty much everyone that it’s inappropriate for me to ever lift anything heavier than a book or shoe. This in stark contrast to my northern upbringing where the heavier the things I could lift, the more impressed people were. I don’t have a problem following the local custom. I do forget sometimes, which horrifies people. I’m sorry.
I’ve learned from Sister E- how to graciously let others go first. I don’t always remember to, but her example always comes to mind if I forget.
I’ve learned from myriad Brazilians how to serve coffee and biscuits and sit and talk when there’s talking to be done or a visitor comes by. And how to dawdle through pleasant conversation when stopping in here or there, even if one is just there to get some quick business done. I’m sure I still fail on many of the finer points, but I really appreciate that custom and will strive to improve.
I’ve learned from my music teacher’s daughter the joy of drawing with gel pens, especially the kind with glitter in the ink. Sometimes I even write my grocery lists in gel pen. Yay! Thank you, sweetie.
I’ve learned from my confessor a whole lot about forgiveness and about meeting people where they are.
I’ve learned from many friends and acquaintances the incredible power of God to transform and heal us, even when our faith seems far too feeble. Sometimes I myself was the one whose faith was feeble, watching the painful struggles of a friend. Lesson learned.
I’ve learned from my husband the virtue of generosity (and he is much better at it than me, so I can continue learning this!).
There are thousands more, but I’ll save them for another post.