aquarius and the peace corp.

Marsha left for the Peace Corp last month. She is now living in one of the -stans. I think its Kazakhstan but I'm not sure. Marsha has a law degree and has served in the military. She is sharp, articulate, attractive and in good physical condition. She also must be 40-something. This is no idealist 20-something making a grand display.

Several things have happened to Marsha that may have encouraged her to look at life a bit differently, to view it more closely than maybe you or I would.

Marsha's only child, a son, was born with a health problem that caused him to die as a young man. Living through something like that might give you a different outlook on the world in general and your own life in particular.

I'm not sure why Marsha is in one of the -stans but I have been thinking about the Peace Corp quite a bit lately. Janet--who coordinates the volunteers at the library where I help out in Tech. Services--was in the Peace Corp back in the 1970s, I think it was. I enjoy talking with her about it. She makes it seem like the-good-old-days. I think they were for her. These are my only two connections with anything remotely Peace Corp.

All my life I have wanted to be someone who would join the Peace Corp. Helping people in other countries build a school or a bridge would be so fulfilling. I can see myself teaching little barefoot children how to read. I feel certain I could help others. The Aquarius in me would just take off and go to another country and do what needed to be done. I would like to think I could and would join the Peace Corp if only I hadn't so much family. But the truth is...I wouldn't. I have extremely shallow reasons for not going.

Here are my extremely shallow reasons for not joining the Peace Corp: 1) I like to sleep on nice, clean 300-threads-per-square-inch sheets with lots of fluffy, feather-down pillows all around me; 2) I like to shower and use expensive, smell-good soap every morning to wake me up and again every night to help me sleep well; 3) I like having clean hair and wearing clean clothes; 4) I enjoy scented candles and being around people who smell good.

I am all about the smell-good clean.

Can you do that in the Peace Corp? I don't think you can.

Even the time I spent in Russia was a bit of a stretch for me, I hate to say. I can bathe in cold, cold water only so many times before I become rather testy. For 14 days, maybe; for 24 months, I'm thinking No. I can wash my clothes by hand in a basin in my room filled with cold water for 1 month but not for 24. Call me shallow, but this is just how I am. I wish I felt differently about it but 2 years is a long time to Make Do with Roughing It.

I missed Marsha's going away party but I hope I see her when she gets back home...in 2 years. Maybe she will be filled with wonderful stories about making a difference. When she gets to be Janet's age I hope Marsha will talk about her time in the Peace Corp like it was the-good-old-days. I hope so.

In 2 years I will ask her about the -stan soap.