Richmond – D.C. – Detroit – Bangkok
By Bill 1 commentIn less than 48 hours, Michael Brian Hamby, 24, will begin his journey to Thailand for a two-year (at least) hitch with the Peace Corps. Needless to say, his mother, brother, grandmother — not to mention a small legion of extended family and friends – are very proud and excited for him. There was a time before the economy cratered, when a college graduate with okay grades and reasonably good health had a fighting ( pun noted) chance to travel to some far flung part of the world to help some folks and have an adventure. Not so anymore. These days you have to have game. Yes, the era has passed when, if you were shut out of grad school, and a minimum wage job was the only option for a gig – and living in your parent’s basement didn’t appeal, that the Peace Corps was an option for a two year vacation.
So, of course there is an understandable measure of pride in Hamby Land that Michael will join 53 others in his “class” headed to Thailand. He started the process shortly after graduating with honors from Marlboro College in Brattleboro, Vermont in the spring of 2010. That 1 1/2 years also introduced Himself to the frustrations, periods of silence and vargaries of the government bureaucracy. And make no mistake, having a guy at home like Michael for that time was a blessing for Mrs. H and myself. There was some getting used to the situation. But the three of us, all grownups of some measure, managed to do a Kabuki dance that kept us out of each other’s way most of the time. And having a dude in the casa who loves to read, find and listen to new and interesting music, guide his parents to movies and cable series we would have never watched enriched us all. And when big brother Peter was in off the road from the political news media world it was that much better, with brother Patrick, eternally, a strong presence among us. All together.
So when we knew this Peace Corps thing was actually going to happen, Michael and I decided to cook a Thai meal at least once a week. ( We also began regularly slurping noodles at a local restaurant) I became his sous chef. He has been a very good cook for a long time. And I am a firm believer that there is a hierarchy in the kitchen, and it starts with the chef - then everybody else in descending order. I’m also a lead, follow or get out of the way guy. So, it was me who was chopping, getting it all in order and handing off to Himself at the helm of the wok. A dish that was one of our favorites was a green curry. We both agreed to amp up th heat the second time through. Apparently the “authentic” recipe had been dumbed down in that department.
I could blather all day and night about the enjoyment of standing elbow to elbow in the kitchen with a son and creating a meal to share. You get it or you don’t. Either way, we have been learning from each other his entire life time that began prematurely by three months in 1987. Some of the lessons were tough, but none left permanent scarring. And I’m better for it. And he is about to meet new people who will be better for meeting and knowing him.
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Comments (1)
Rickie
My emotions are overflowing. Godspeed Michael! Do well and do good! [Reply]