It is surreal being back in Africa. It is not any different to me than going to Canada to see old friends, except the sounds of birds and car horns, the quick transference into the minority, the lack of linguistic understanding, the food, and the smells. It is foreignly, fantastically Africa. The people of Rwanda are naturally beautiful, spiritual, stoic and lively all at once. It was so dear to embrace the necks of old friends. I have met people in these last few days that have become so naturally a part of my life, it feels like an internal tearing as we prepare to go to Kenya. To see the delight in smiles and laughter. to be embraced as family. to dance. oh to dance. yes i feel beauty and beautiful here.
How healing this time. How perfect its placement in the timeline of heartache. These last few months have watched me raise my head, steady my stance and allow tears to fall in the places they choose to gravitate to. i have allowed their travel without interference or tissues. I have found a painful strength and delight in the growing of my years. Being here is a poetic gratitude from life as it whispers to me "celebrate, for you are magnetically glorious.' i have never felt so strong and so pleased to write such words.
Today i was asked the question of where i saw myself in years down the road. I laughed at the question. I was brought back to a podium in nashville where i told my college graduating class that i had no idea where life would take me. i suppose then i would have assumed i'd be married with at least a kid or two by now... and here i am in Kigali Rwanda laughing and dancing the night away. as i look to the next season of my life i have to think to myself, not what do i want to do, but who do i want to be? who am i becoming down this road? it is an incredible life, in an incredible world that we share. be kind. do something nice for a stranger today. hug someone and hold onto them for a minute. laugh at yourself. do good by people. give yourself some grace. let go of what needs to be. forgive each other. stand up for what's right. stand up for yourself. learn something new. travel. say nice things instead of mean words. cook a nice meal then eat good chocolate. and in the inbetween moments, dance. on top of everything, love. love well. it is all that we have in this lifetime. love fiercely and unreserved. there are no second chances at this. worrying about the future or the consequence, whether it be heartbreak or joy, only steals our moments from love. go live your life. and go love your life. blessings.
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