It's warm and humid this afternoon in Arusha. This morning we had a nice rain. Byron and I were still in bed with our morning tea when that wonderful, unbelievable smell announced the big event. It wasn't a huge rain but it was much welcomed and I blessed it as I enjoyed my tea. Now I sit here on our front porch, watching the clouds build, and hope that tonight will bring a heavy downpour.
Jesse was 22 on Friday. Twenty-two? I have a 22 year-old? Indeed, I do. One that I am ridiculously proud of, actually. And the days are quickly approaching his college graduation. He will soon complete his bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and we'll be there, smiling and clapping and snapping photos.
But in order to get there, I'm going to have to leave here.
On the way to California, we will travel through Portugal for 10 days. It's 2 years and 8 months since we left and it's the right time to go back. We really, really look forward to being with the folks we love there.
All this coming and going stirs stuff in me.
A wise friend of mine once said that we weren't made for the jet-age. We aren't actually well-suited to pop between cultures so quickly. It can be jarring. For me, it usually quiets and, to be honest, kind of confuses me. I need time to observe, absorb and figure it out.
So I feel this little tremble of temptation to have a mini-freak-out about leaving Africa and landing in LA. You know, there is often more money on a finger in LA than friends here might make in 10 years of full-time work. It's too bizarre to think about.
But this time around, I think I feel a little more settled about my unsettledness. I am more at peace with my particular peculiarities. So I'm not typical in my experiences... Is anyone, really? So I have some significantly different perspectives on a few things... Whatever.
I am me.
I love my friends and family in many locations far from the one that I call home. I begin the journey on Wednesday, fully expecting to be better for time with them.
And I expect that they will, once again, embrace this family that blows in every once in a while, bringing tales from far and away beyond their horizons.
9 comments:
Yes, we are expecting to be better from a visit with you. No matter how short, I look forward to your time here. Breeze on through!!
yes yes yes... soon you will be here with us!
JB
I found your blog by accident and have become facinated. Would you mind posting about the reasons you moved to Africa and what keeps you there? It seems unsafe, I guess that's all relative (I'm in NYC).
Thank you,
Heather
I bless the rains down in Africa
Ahh.
Popping between cultures. Agreed. Very strange.
You have a small nation excited for your arrival. And a new song by that other son that you have that I really think you are going to love : )
Blessings on your trip!!!!
Heather, thanks for asking :-) Will try to do a little post about that soon. Just trying to get our family organized and out to the door on Wednesday for 2 and a half months back in the US. A wee bit of stress going on here ;-)
Sue, Jesse, Trevor, Darrelle.... I hug you soon! Wooo hoooo!
i CANNOT wait to see you.
blessings on your travels... i hope to see some portuguese dirt under those fingernails when we meet.
oh oh oh! yes to the Portuguese dirt under your fingernails. I just need to hug you, please.
i love your words!
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