New friend

Today was a hectic yet amazing day.
Hectic because of AP practice tests, rally, mathletics organization, and another club errand.
Amazing because of the great experience I had talking to the French tourists who were in the tour bus accident.
We got there and a few French adults came in; we began speaking with them about basic things such as their city of residence in France, their families, and careers. Slowly, a few told us bits and pieces of information about their family members who died in the bus accident or are in serious condition. I don't think I'll ever forget when a gentleman said (in french) "My wife is at the hospital in San Francisco [pointing to his ring since my French comprehension skills are not that great] so I will return to France some time later." I seriously did not know what to say; so I remembered a verb that we had looked up on our way there: prier. "Je vais prier pour lui." He smiled but I could see his eyes getting watery. Then he reached out and grabbed my hand, slightly squeezing it. "Merci." he said. Thinking about that single moment, I can't help but think how hurt he must have been and what an emotional toll this tragedy must be taking on him. It makes me sad.

Then Axel came it. He was a 15-year-old boy with a Rolling Stones t-shirt, kinda tight jeans, and somewhat shaggy/frizzy/straightened hair. At first the 10 ND girls were reluctant to go forward and talk to him but we did. He was such a nice kid; so sociable, funny, and fun. We all talked about different stuff, laughed, and became Axel's new friends. "You have facebook?" he asked. Needless to say, our response was quite joyous "YES!!" Then he came to the rally and definitely had fun.

So now I am pretty content and grateful simply because I had the chance to meet these people and Axel. Who knows, maybe one day when I go to France I can go hang out with some of the people and their families. Or perhaps Axel or Lina (the 13-year-old girl) will stay in the States for a year or two. That's all for the future of course; what matters now is that meeting them contributed to making me a more whole person and carving off the mud and gunk off my heart.