Thursday, September 8, 2022

The water is golden today, smooth as glass as the sun peaks over the shipping yard. Philip and I used to imagine roller blading on heaven’s streets of gold. Since Jesus walked on water, why not rollerblade?

I have had low back pain all week. Chocked it up to jet lag and tried to stretch the muscles  with no effect. Today I did one of the urine tests that I have been doing on so many patients. It turns out, I am not the complete weakling I thought I was, instead, I have a possible kidney infection … nothing a good antibiotic won’t pummel!

Today is a day of pairs. First, one of our CSI volunteers, whom we call heroes, is a young darling who brings her elderly mother-in-law to me. Hand in hand they slowly come, the young beauty leading the older one. She leans in close over her seated MIL and explains with a tender smile that she has come to translate for my translator who will translate for me because her MIL does not speak Swahili. I cannot keep from smiling at the sweetness of this duo and though Mama is shy at first, I manage to coax a smile from her as well. 

Second, a young man brings in his grandfather . The older man cannot see well which is evident by his slow, shuffling walk. The younger one leads him gently by the hand. He is dressed in a long white tunic and wears a yellow box hat, a kufi, on his head. His face is wrinkled and dark, his eyes cloudy but his smile is undeniable. It is such a precious sight.

Towards the end of the day, I am blessed by a small one dressed in a fine twirly dress with a sweater tied around her waist. She is holding the hand of her friend in an equally twirly dress. When she turns around I see that she has an empty water bottle tucked inside the sweater. It is her baby that she is carrying just like the African Mamas do. I am delighted by this exquisite sweetness and light.  

Maybe it is the kidney infection making me more susceptible to my emotions but I am wordless and tearful. There are many difficult things here but this tips the scales to the bright side.There is something so right about the nurturing bonds of community.

Grateful,                                                     Z-Anne-zibar                                                     Thursday, September 8, 2022