My last night in Maseno, I was feeling pretty snarky as a sinus infection was fighting to take control of my head. I really just wanted to go to bed early. But I had spent the day decorating the house, since it was going to be the kids first night in their new home. I went down to my house for a quick shower and power nap-neither of which made me feel better. Jacky was making their first dinner up at the house though, so I dragged myself back up the hill. This was the first time Jacky had used her gas cooker, and she made a lovely meal of ugali, Scumawiki, and some sort of egg dish. It was new to me. Also new was the feeling of great peaceful calm that washed over me like warm water as I sat in that clean, safe home, full of the children who have occupied my both my head and my heart for the last few years. I will always worry over them, but it will never be for lack of food, shelter, safely, and most importantly, love, ever again. The last few weeks seems to have transformed these kids. I guess I never fully understood the weight even such small children can carry when they don't know who loves them, and who will feed them and protect them from day to day. I saw it most noticeable in Naomy, who has changed from a sad, haunting child into bubbly, joyful little girl. The sound of her tinkling-bell-baby laughter is quite possibly the most beautiful sound I have ever heard, and it has been known to stop me many a time outside their room-just to listen.......and count myself so ridiculously blessed.
After dinner we sat all crammed into the bottom bunks of the boys room and listened to Eddah (13 yrs) reading out loud from their new school books. Naomy, Arnold, and Brian swiftly fell asleep in a little pile of bare feet and snoring after spending a good hour pretending to be ungas (puppies), licking my hands and crawling all over my feet. No matter where you are in the world, reading out loud is still the fastest way to put the wee ones to sleep, as evidenced by Daniel, who fell asleep in the gas cooker box he was playing in :). Presh.
I finally kissed goodnight the 2 that were still awake and handed the key over to Jacky. Had Hollywood been involved, my epic, monumental music would have started to play, and life would have slowed down for just a moment as we walked away from that house that was lit up like a beacon in the dark night. Although I am no Harry or Frodo, as I tiptoed down that little dark path between the cornfields of our houses, I was delightfully aware that this will always be one of the sweetest and most beautiful moments of my life. And it was so completely and utterly worth all the struggle and heartache it took to get here. I would do it all over again for just one night like tonight.
The kids playing outside.
Just a little rough housing.........
First day at Wonderland Academy.
The path to school.
Me, Jacky, and our darlings: Eddah (13), Vinicent (12), Brian (7), Arnold (6), Daniel (9), and Naomy (6).
Eddah and I walking to the market.
Vinicent did some painting for me so he could make a little money to buy a few rabbits, which he would like to start raising. Thankfully that is latex paint all over his face............
Jessie
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