Big Coming

Conversation with Sherrif:

Madame. Who is this in this picture with Mr. Peter?

I come into the hall to see him pointing to mine and Peter's engagement picture.

That's me.

No.

Yes.

Really? You? You look so. So. Smart. You young. Your smile vedy, vedy nice.

I think he may have meant pretty, or nice, or something other than smart. Lost in translation. But smart, in that picture, I do not look. I'm wearing my FAVORITE navy blue and cream polka dotted dress from the Limited, circa 1995. I am standing sideways, with my HUGE dark blonde hair flowing down my back with light curls in it. And I look pretty darn good. For me, anyway. (I don't have access to the exact photo, but here is the time peroid.)

Thank you. Yes that was me a long time ago.

Sadam Azeem (just Azeem to you and me) said to me 'That is Madame.' But I say noooo. That can't be madame. Maybe is sister. (uh? snuggling that close with Mr. Peter? I don't know about Bangladesh, but that's kind of off limits where I come from) Then Azeem say, 'No Sherrif, that is madam. She's has many babies and now (*arms out big around the side of his body here*) and is big coming.

Yep. I have big coming, alright.

Then we laughed and he kept shaking his head and smiling, looking back and forth at the picture and and me.

The biggest question left in my head was, first: what we're the two of you doing while chit chatting about this. And second, what else are they talking about? They make me laugh.

In other Sherrif news, last week I said to him.

"Hey. If you could move to America would you? I mean, if you could take your wife and son (and NEW BABY ON THE WAY!) to the United States, would you?

How?

I don't know. Just would you?

Jes. (that's yes) But how. You be my sponsor?

I have no idea Sherrif. I'd probably have to be living in the U.S. to help you move there. I've just been thinking that you've worked for American families for 10 years, you speak great (well, for around here, great) English. You work hard. Why not you?

Jes. Why not Sherrif? You help me?

I'll start thinking, Sherrif. That's all I'm saying. I just know that people come to the United States every day. They have less experience and can't speak a word of English. And I thought maybe, if you wanted do, that somehow we could help you find a way for a better life for you and your family. Opportunity for you children.

You do that, and when I die, I say to God. God, you are not my God any more. Madame is my God.

Well. (laughing) I don't know about that. I'm just saying that things aren't good for you or your family in Bangladesh. You have skills and the language. Why not try to find out more?

Jes. Why not Sherrif? Why not!

Anybody know anything about this? I mean obviously there is the back of a truck, car trunks, and cargo carriers. But really? I don't think that's what we're going for here. If you know anyone or anything about helping someone get into the United States OR want to help somehow. Let me know. This is just a thought I had. I want to say, "I'll bet it's really hard to do." But for crying out loud, have you seen the U.S. population lately? It can't be THAT hard.