By: Clare Elden
I looked at coming to India as a way to see another side of the world. I didn’t come to India to learn more about me, but what I have learned is that I like to be quiet and to observe the people around me. In Agora, I’ve noticed that there aren’t any only children, like me. If I had to spend as much time with my mom, as my host sisters spend with their mom, we wouldn’t be so kind to each other.
My relationship with my mom is different than Sarita and Monita’s relationship with their mother. They know their roles in the family and understand that they are not only daughters, but also “co-workers”. Sarita, who is 17, has taken over the cooking from her mother, while Monita, the younger sister, age 13, is to pass the water, and clean the dishes when the meal is over. There is little reason to argue because everyone knows what to do and when to do it. There’s not time or reason to fight.
The time we have spent in the smoky kitchen with this “punny” (funny) family laughing, eating, and learning how their family works has made me really miss my family. I’ve learned through being away from home and only limited time with my mom when I have it, to appreciate my mom and not to waste time arguing about the little things.
I miss you, Mom!
CCS GLOBAL EDUCATION 
Beautiful, Clare! What a take-away! 🙂
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Love it, Clare! You WIN the Blog Trophy for sending love to your Mom! I’m sure I speak for all of us at home when I say how much we miss you all and can’t wait to have you home. xo Pete’s Mom
PS Please ask Mr. Alter to post more photos! 🙂
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Love and miss you too Clare love Gram
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Clare that’s beautiful! I am sure your mom is beaming with pride. What a coming of age moment for you. Love from across the globe, Aunt Carrie
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Ah, Clare, you have stolen our hearts today! Such a wonderful morsel of wisdom. It’s always about family. Safe travels home. I hope the airline will give you an extra soda on the way home to celebrate your birthday.
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Very sweet, and very true that sometimes traveling far away brings us back to ourselves. By understanding others better, we begin to understand ourselves better. So cool that you’re seeing this!
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Awe, Clare… very poignant and heart-warming. I hope your mom is following the blog and has read your touching message.
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Wow. where are the tissues…
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