Thankful Thanksgiving: Kimberlee Rawlings

The people here are amazing. Everywhere we go, everyone stops and looks at us like we are movie stars walking down the red carpet. Everyone waves, and never fails to shoot a smile your way. In my village, we teach on the rooftop of the schoolhouse. Little boys from the village who aren’t enrolled in school come and sit in the trees and watch us all day long. Yesterday, they threw flowers up to me and yelled, “For you, Kimee!” Where they even got those flowers, and how they knew my name, I’ll never know hahaha

            The kids in my school have stolen my heart. They will start a world war over who gets to hold your hand. I have never been around humans so pleased and happy about my presence. If you were to have told me a year ago that I would be teaching a group of kids, who only speak Hindi, English classes, I would’ve told you that it was impossible. But the language barrier here is the last thing that gets in the way. The love I have developed for these kids, and the love they have shown me these past few days doesn’t rely on verbal conversation, whatsoever. We don’t need words to know how much we love and appreciate each other. Somehow speaking entirely different languages in no way effects their ability to learn. Every day after school, we walk down this path for about ten minutes in order to get to our car. The kids will battle over who gets to hold your hand and walk you all the way out. If they lose this battle, they will somehow find a different way to latch onto you. I have never developed such strong relationships so fast with anyone as I have with these kids.

            My favorite, Sheetal, is five years old. I have never looked down and had her not squeezing my hand. Everyday she waits for me to get ready to leave, and she helps me clean up my supplies. Yesterday, when I leaned down to give her a hug, I was surprised by a kiss on the cheek. Today, she grabbed my hand and said, “Friendship, Kimee. I love you.” I wish I could know more about her, but I don’t need to to know that I will never forget about her. Being able to take her home would be better than any souvenir I could ever buy.

            My experience here in India hasn’t given me brand new things to be grateful for, but it has more like revealed to me all the things I am so thankful for that before went unnoticed. I am grateful for my amazing home, where I don’t fear spiders, scorpions, or lizards eating me during my sleep. I am grateful for food so tasty my mouth waters hahaha If you wanna lose a lot of weight go to India because it causes you to lose all appetite. Those of you who know me would never believe this, but I literally haven’t had a single craving the whole time I have been here. Nothing ever sounds good, so I just eat my rice and call it good. Mom and Dad: I miss you guys so much. I want you to know how grateful I am for you two. You are the most loving and supportive parents I could ever ask for, and I am so lucky. I am thinking about you this Thanksgiving and always. Jamee, Rachel, and Hannah: Thank you so much for being such good role models to me all of growing up, I miss you three so much. Jeffrey and Markus: I am so thankful to have you two as my brothers to always look out for me, and I miss you. I love you all so much family, and am thinking about you. I am sure going to miss Grandma Kaye’s Thanksgiving dinner. Terry: I am so grateful for you. You are my best friend. I haven’t noticed many popcorn cottages here in case you were wondering 😉 hahaha I am thinking about you always, and I miss you so much. All the kids in my school point to you in my pictures and say “Hubby!” hahaha no kids. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving friends and family, I love you all. 

6 Responses to “Thankful Thanksgiving: Kimberlee Rawlings”

1. allison ford, on November 24th, 2016 at 4:05 pm Said:

   For those of you reading this, if you comment I will see it <3 xoxox

2. Mary Ann Rawlings, on November 24th, 2016 at 4:28 pm Said:

   What an amazing experience you are having! You will always look back on this as the best Thanksgiving because you were able to give to others. We love the pictures! Happy Thanksgiving Kimberlee! We love you!
   The Family

3. Mary Ann Rawlings, on November 24th, 2016 at 4:41 pm Said:

   Kimberlee,
   Me & Hannah are looking @ the amazing pictures and she wishes she was there too! Sage is doing well and loves all the attention. She has her bed by the fire. We are excited to see you again but know you are doing important things! Make the most of this experience!
   Love always,
   Mom

4. Rachel Rawlings Ward, on November 24th, 2016 at 5:21 pm Said:

   Kimee, Happy Thanksgiving from Washington DC! We love you. I also taught school on a rooftop when I went to India for the first time, and it was an amazing experience. Glad to hear you are having a good time. Enjoy that rice…I also thought going to India was a good weight-loss technique 😉 we love you so much. Emerson can’t wait to see you in a few weeks! He’s dressed in some Carhartt overalls for the holiday. Love you, Kim!

   Love, Rachel, Douglas, and Emerson

5. Terryn Palmer, on November 24th, 2016 at 6:06 pm Said:

   Kimee. I miss you so so much. I’m glad to see and hear about all those kids your helping. I read your thanksgiving note. And all I have to say is I love you kimee. I want you to know that life here is very boring without you. I went to the basketball game this week and it’s just not the same. Also, are you sure you haven’t seen any popcorn cottages?? Cause I swear I thought someone told me there were some there??? Haha I’m glad to know your changing the world kimee. I brag about you everyday. I miss you and I love you. Come home quick. <3

6. Terryn Palmer, on November 24th, 2016 at 6:09 pm Said:

   Oh and I also forgot to tell you that Mac misses you deeply. He’s been sleeping with me cause we’re both sad your not there with us