Roger and Rakesh. I just discovered the "alert" tab in the menu and these postings. I also discovered a message from Michael in October that I hadn't responded to. So my new related story about our international students is in connection with my getting 2 new knees in July. Our dear daughter Wafaa came out from Boston to help me for two weeks after my first knee replacement, and then our daughter Aditi came up from Dallas to help me after the second replacement. Many of our international students have become our kids and we became their American parents. It is hardly fair, having such a large family.
Rakesh, I admire your volunteering in hospital work for 20 years. And yet, we find that that is just the place that we recommend to our student spouses who are looking for a setting where they can be of service, with the side benefit of working on their conversational English. The more they talk with patients, the better for both. Here is to all professional joy-bringers!
Michael, I apologize for not responding earlier. I'm learning new things about our Weaver environment each week. I am still here and trying to be active. And I am continually blessed with so many kids from so many places. Right now we have a student from Ecuador whose lease ran out at the end of the summer though she hadn't finished her master's degree. She has introduced us to her friends. Now she wants to make Thanksgiving dinner for them and us. It will be a joint effort with so much to be thankful for. Our table is and will be full.