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Words are what you make them, so let's make them rock!
My old roommate and I (hi, Cruzie) indulged in a Bluey episode or two as college seniors. When one was steeping tea into eccentric mugs, the other would be setting up the children’s show on the TV.
Brief summary: Bluey is a popular children’s cartoon favored by parents (/adults^^) and kids alike for its strong messages, creative storytelling, and problem solving in likely situations for young children.
One of my favorite episodes is titled “Camping.” It makes me cry without fail; even typing out the plot gives me goosebumps. Bluey and her family of four take the RV and head to a campsite and play however they can. Bluey ends up befriending another dog at the same campsite named Jean-Luc. Even though Jean-Luc speaks French, it doesn’t keep them from playing together. Together the pups, with their tails wagging, plant a tree, build an entire imaginary home by the creek, and continue playing together for the remainder of their time at the camp.
Under the stars a few nights later, Bluey is sad when her mom explains why Jean-Luc had to leave: “Sometimes special people come into our lives, stay for a bit and then they have to go, but the bit where they were here was happy, wasn't it?"
Cue waterworks.
Play is a universal language, as I am continuously reminded through my work and the way strangers and I smile at one another in an infinite city.
As a teacher, there are students in my classes who are learning speech, speak multiple languages, or use their own version of dialogue and connection–f.e. a one-woman reenactment of Frozen. Some students only (or primarily) speak Spanish. With the help of my two co-workers (turned friends, turned role-models, turned tutors), Javiera and Mariangie, I am rebirthing my high school Spanish. Pronunciation, grammar rules, vocab, etc.
“Yo aprendo español” translates to “I am learning Spanish.” In and out of the classroom, Javi and Mariangie are encouraging me to speak in Spanish often and proudly, even if my sentences are shaky and slightly confusing. Practice makes progress!
On the night of Javiera’s 28th birthday, Mariangie and I were invited to join her family celebration. Unbeknownst to me, everyone there preferred to speak Spanish. Luckily for me, they are a family of patient and loving people.
Mariangie made me blush when she bragged about my improvement with Spanish and comfort-level when conversing. Javiera held my hand and helped translate the chunks of sentences missing from my punchlines. A couple moments later, I held for applause.
My Spanish comprehension was not flawless. There were moments when my eyebrows met in the middle of my forehead–squeezing all my brain power into a little game called “What’s the Context?” Even when I lost that game, the energy in the room was magnetic. I could feel the love filling the room and spilling out the windows; belly laughter, teasing one another, inside jokes compiled over 28+ years were all in one room. It made my heart swell and I didn’t need to speak in my native tongue to feel safe in this place. Even the crickets outside were eavesdropping on the jubilation echoing from inside the house, strumming their legs to a complementing harmony.
Thank you, Javiera, for inviting me in. Thank you, Mariangie, for encouraging and applauding me. Thank you both for believing in me.
I spent time in university studying American Sign Language. The course ran five days a week for an hour each day. I only heard the professor’s voice on Day 1, and then we strictly signed, finger-spelled and acted out in pantomime our stories, secrets, questions, and conversations. The ability to sign and communicate came much quicker to me than I anticipated.
In the second month of class, we spent a Friday afternoon playing card games. A game of Spoons is just as intense when nobody is shouting. In fact, it is sneakier, stealthier, and more competitive. All the trash-talk happens with free hands before shuffling the deck, and the only sounds are the rush of cards sliding and slamming onto the table, hands hitting plastic spoons, and giggles under muted voices. That universal language of play remained present, encouraging us all to stay peaceful and friendly.
The community found there was built upon the focus of learning a new language, trust in one another, and patience. Within ASL, I found complete authenticity and curiosity in the conversations I would have. With no phones in sight, we looked intently, learned and listened with one another. We began to listen to understand, not to respond.
There is a quote passing around social media right now that reads “To be loved is to be known.” I can feel this taking place with everyone’s specific “Love Languages”; the ways of expressing to someone Yes, you are exceptional to me. To show just how much, here is something (an act of service, words of affirmation, a hug, a fresh load of laundry) you appreciate. I might hate doing laundry, but I would wash a million sweaters for you. I could try to put in words how much this warms me up, but I am at a loss. It is such a gift to know someone well enough that words are unnecessary and insufficient. TELL YOUR PEOPLE YOU LOVE THEM in any way you can. The world is broken, but our relationships don’t have to be.
I cherish Language and if I could, I’d learn them all. Your words have power, so use them wisely and meaningfully.
Years go by and Bluey’s family returns to their beloved campsite. The shot is on only Bluey, skipping to read underneath the tree her and her mysterious friend planted. Out of the frame, all we hear is a quick, “Bonjour,” and suddenly Bluey is seeing Jean-Luc on the other side of the creek as if no time has passed.
Palabras que vienen del corazón ❤️