Cardboard boxes

Today is/was Ian’s (Dr. Tullos’s son) birthday! He turned 14. After a busy morning, we had African lunch—tshima!—followed by birthday cake. After lunch, I retreated to the house to clean and organize things for feeding class.

Now, there are a few women and men who keep our house and do our laundry throughout the day while we are in and out. One of the women is named Mildred. She sweeps our house and makes up our beds every day. I have greeted her so much she knows my name. So while I was cleaning up things for therapy in the kitchen today, she was also working in the kitchen. I got to know her a little better and learned new things. She first asked how old I am, so I told her. She replied “Oh! You are YOUNG!” I laughed and asked how old she is. “Thirty-six”, she replied. I said “Wow, Mildred, you look younger than that! You age well!” She giggled. I went on to ask her where she stayed and she described where she lives from where our house is. She went on to tell me she has a husband and five daughters—20, 18, 16, 13, and 10 years old. Yes. She also has a grandson who is 2 years old. When I asked if she spoils him, she laughed and said “No!” Oh Mildred, I like her. Anyhow, so while she and I talked I sort of explained some of the toys and instruments I was packing up for the afternoon. Mildred was cutting up squares from paper boxes—trash bag, Ziploc, cereal, etc—the whole time. When I asked what she was doing, she explained that she was cutting them for the people at the clinic to write information on. I wanted to give her all the paper and pens I could find in that moment. Who would ever think to use trash—if you will—for paper? Mildred did not act like it was even a little bit odd. She wished me a good afternoon as I left for the Havens, and that was that. The afternoon went quickly. I spent time with Matt and Bennett again before heading back for the night—they cried and clung to my legs when I left L

Tonight we rushed back, hopped into a few vehicles and rode a short and bumpy ride to Jordan’s Rock, a literal and very large rock in the middle of what one might refer to as the bush. It was awesome. We roasted hot dogs and s’mores. We watched the sunset and witnessed the beautiful starry sky. Good times. After returning home, I have rinsed off the day and am looking forward to a good night’s sleep with a little help from Melatonin—I have had trouble falling asleep the past few nights. Hope all is well on the other side of the ocean J Love y’all!