Pots and Pans…Behind the Green Wall

The Green Wall hides the daily scenes of life, but it doesn’t hide the common and culture-crossing sounds that I hear. A couple of months after moving in to our house, I began to hear the endearing and unmistakable cries of a newborn. It was amazing how quickly the cries changed to those of the recognizable 3-4 month old child. As the noises the growing baby made changed, the language of the faceless adults changed also. I could hear different sounds, tones, and patterns of conversation and I decided they must be talking directly with the baby. I also began to reflect on all the voices and faces that must be impacting this new life. Because of the Thai extended family ways of living, the life of a child from a very early age is daily influenced by both genders and people of various ages. It seems when the baby is behind the green wall, someone and quite often many different someones, are there to coo, engage and interact with the baby. Thais are extremely relational and group oriented. Perhaps it is engrained from birth.

Just recently, I began to hear the familiar sounds of a wooden spoon striking a variety of sizes of pots and pans. My how time flies! Newborn cries, growing infant coos, adult interaction with babies, beginnings of language and banging on pots and pans all cross the boundaries of cultures and location. Perhaps, they too have a drummer in the house.