Sticking Out

Life with Noelle means crazy hair - check out this typical morning 'do she's sporting.

Like most Mexican girls here, Noelle gets her hair combed and styled (think gel, pony tails, fancy barrettes) before we head out for the day. In fact, I have gotten so used to living here that I often feel like one of the locals. I dress up my girls just to go to the store, I say "buenas tardes" to our neighbors when we head out for an afternoon stroll, I chat with moms as our kids play together in the park.

That said, I think I forget how much we, and especially our children, stand out. I was reminded of this last week when I ran an errand with Noelle. We headed to Waldo's, a store I go to for baby supplies (anyone living in Torreón in need of baby wipes, get the Cariñosas brand at Waldo's - so gentle and yet so cheap!). Anyway, I go there about once a month, often alone but sometimes with a girl or two.

As we waited in the checkout line, me graciously thanking all of Noelle's admirers, who were smiling and waving at her, telling me how pretty she is, asking to touch her hair, etc, a worker came up to the cash register. I didn't recognize him at all.

"Don't you have another one?" he asked. "An older girl?"

I did a double take and then said, why yes, I do have another girl. Everyone around me nodded. Oh yeah, they knew that bigger girl.

So we stand out, especially the girls with their light hair (or lack of it). While I'm getting used to this, it's also a good reminder that we are not only foreigners, we're also Christians. Our behavior in public is a good chance to reflect our beliefs - after all, you never know who's watching!

And that fact that they get compliments - little surprise. Here's where it comes from: