The Missing Piece of the Picture

The week before Christmas I got stuck in traffic.  There is nothing unusual about getting stuck in traffic during the holidays or the drive home from work, but this traffic slow down had a lasting effect on me.  Here is what I saw and why it stayed with me:

The first thing I saw over the cars in front of me where the flashing lights of an ambulance in the midst of the accident scene, which immediately prompted prayer for anyone with possible injuries.  The two cop cars blocking the lane I was in came into view next.  As I passed the cop cars, I spied a group of three teenagers that seemed most out of place with the rest of the scene.  They huddled together holding an iPhone out in front of them with "We're so happy to be here together" smiles taking a picture.  Dumbfounded, I continued to inch forward looking for an answer to the scene unfolding before me.  The cops and paramedics were huddled around the ambulance some 20 feet away from the teenagers not paying attention to them.  On the other side of the ambulance, was the rest of the story.  A man in his thirties stood with a look of despair on the other side of the ambulance.  Just past him was a silver Mercedes C-class with no apparent damage and a 90's model Buick LeSabre with damage to the front end.

I would love at this point to make a heap of assumptions about who is at fault and what actually happened, but I don't really need to in order to be concerned about what I saw.  No matter who is at fault, I am bothered that this group of teenagers who were so blissfully calloused to the fact that someone could have been seriously injured.  I am bothered that they did not seem to care that someone's, possibly including theirs, property was damaged and that it costs time and money to have it repaired.  What exactly are they going to do with that photo? Post it on Facebook with the caption, "And this is us at the scene of the accident. Aren't we so cute? Our hair didn't even get messed up." 

My prayer that day changed from requests to sustain life to asking God to open the eyes of these teenagers to others around them and give them a genuine concern for others.  As an aunt, a youth leader and a general role model to anyone I encounter, I pray that this prayer would be true in my life first and foremost.  I have a feeling that this is what was the greatest missing piece in this picture.  Be a role model of caring for those you know and those you don't know.

Tis the Season . . .

For seven and a half years, I lived on a tropical island in the South China Sea, which put a very interesting spin on what makes it feel like Christmas to me.  First of all, December falls during the rainy season.  Nothing like snuggle up with the a/c blowing, a storm brewing and a cup of hot cocoa.  But the best part of December was the fact that it was finally pomelo season.  Oh yeah!  What is pomelo, you ask.  Indulge me for a few minutes while I share with you about my favorite fruit.

I present to you, the pomelo.

Pomelos are a citrus fruit and you will often see them labeled as a grapefruit, which is very wrong!  It is a pomelo.  Same family, different fruit.  An orange is not a grapefruit - that's all I'm saying.  But I guess until you actually try one you go with the what you know.  So, when you see pomelos mislabeled in your grocery store, know that someone is missing out on a fantastic fruit experience.  Can you tell I like pomelos yet?

Personally, the best way to enjoy a pomelo is to camp out on the cold tile floor with your knife, a bowl and a good movie.  That is not very practical for most Americans, but please do not let that stop you either. Here is a little guide to enjoying a luscious pomelo.

The first step is to select your pomelo at the store.  If you can find pomelos that come from The Philippines, you have struck pomelo gold.  Second runner up would be Thailand, then Malaysia followed by anything from the Western Hemisphere (unfortunately that is what I find most around here, but it is better than nothing.) Select two pomelos and notice which one is heavier, i.e. which one has more juice in it.  You can do this hand scale thing for a few more, but you may want to switch hands.

Now that you have your pomelo home with you, and you have danced a dance of joy, score the rind all the way around twice in opposing circles to create four sections.  Pomelos have a very think rind (up to 1/2 inch thick), so cut deep but not too deep.

Look ma! No hands!

Next, peel like you have never peeled before.

I told you it was thick.  You didn't believe me, did you?

Once you have it all peeled you find a pretty treasure inside.

Rind on the right, treasure on the left.

Peel as much of the fluffy white stuff as possible, mainly cause it's fun.  Maybe that is just me.  Unlike, other citrus fruits you really don't want to eat the skin of the pomelo section (it's just really thick).  Once you break open the skin the meat comes out quite easily with your teeth or fingers.  Yummy! 

I prefer the white flesh pomelos, but this will do.

I know what you are thinking - looks like a grapefruit.  Let me assure you that it has a much more mellow sweet flavor than that tart tang of a grapefruit.  It is very refreshing.  Just go try one already.  Oh, and Merry Christmas.