I dont' know how many nuns we have here on Hive, but things are going to get really interesting here with the arrival of this sister. Sor Sonia will be soon posting on #Hive.
This beautiful human being was my students 20 plus years ago when I was just into my 2nd year teaching EFL in college.
She was a teenager, avid for learning, coming from a tiny rural town, with zero background in English, but with a fierce determination and great talent for teaching and serving other human beings. While most of her classmates would be partying on weekends, Sonia was more interested in visiting the viejitos at San Vicente de Paul, the local nursing home. Years later, after becoming an English teacher, she would also become a sister in the congregation that ran the ancianato. She has devoted at least 20 years of her life to serving good causes and to inspiring young minds.
After many years, we just met again. She is just passing; having a break from her academic and religious obligations and it was such a joy to be able to see her again. Even though we could not be more different, especially when it comes to religious matters, the affection, admiration, and mutual respect that join us goes beyond any difference.
She has been catching up by reading my blog here on Hive, she got interested, and now she has become a Hiver. She will be posting soon as 
We took a short walk around the historic distric. Some of her relatives still live in the area. We are connected to some of these buildings in very special ways.
After I finished Grad School and returned to Venezuela, I worked briefly in this language academy, the oldest and best in town.
While I was in the States, Sonia graduated from college and had her first teaching job here. The academy is closed now and the house up for sale.One of the many tragic losses this town has had.
Sonia has a beautiful story involving the owner of this academy. It will be best if she tells the story herself.
In the meantime, we'll be catching up for a few more days until who knows when. The town has changed dramatically in the last 20 years and so have we. We find ourselves deprived of many things and struggling to remain what we said we'd be 20 years ago. We keep strugling to contribute to our country's recovery. I have had mixed feelings about that mission. Sonia is of the optimistic kind. I'm sure she will bring up a brighter vision. At least, now we'll be more connected thanks to #Hive.
I'm sure she will help me see the flower in the mud. Hopefully, she will help many more to see them too.
