November 26, 1974 (Journal entry)

Mike calls it “lifeboat mentality”−
when people survive together
as their lives are totally disrupted
whatever you call it
we are surviving
together.

We who last week were treasuring old friends
and the independence of our new experience;
strangers to each other
find ourselves now sharing
loving each other’s smiles
like the smile of an old friend
or a Buddha
or a lover
drinking and laughing and crying
as in ancient Arabian poetry.

Now thousands of miles from home,
filled with sensations of the landscape
off balance in an unknown culture;
blanketed in camaraderie
strength and joy triumph
over fear.

November 26, 1974

 Dear Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Auntie, et al,

      Merry Christmas. My thoughts will be with you on Christmas. I’m sure I’ll have a good Christmas here. Our group will still be together, in fact, it will be just about our last week of training. We’re all really good friends and have a lot of fun together, so I’m sure Christmas will be fun. We’ll probably go to the beach for the afternoon—we can make a snowman out of sand with sea shell eyes.

      Mom, I did get the Thanksgiving card….it was my first mail!!!!! Then yesterday I got a letter from Cherry.

      Yesterday we were interviewed and received our permanent assignments. Mine is at Bugasong, Province of Antique, Island of Panay. I will be on a beach from which tall mountains rise abruptly. Three of the guys will be located a few hours bus ride away. The Director said it was the most out of the way assignment he had ever given a woman, but we were both convinced it would be right for me. None of the other women will be anywhere near however.

So today we begin language classes. I’ve learned a lot already. I’ll be doing a lot of work with a young woman doctor who has been in Bugasong less than a year. She is the first rural health doctor in the area.

So things are going well and we’re all getting very excited. The food is great too….I’ve had squid, raw fish, the works. Grandpa would love all the fish.

Well this is my Christmas gift to you. Just a letter. And I’ll have a good time here on Christmas if you’ll do the same there.

The best for all the next 365 big ones.