My days in Kenya are over but I am filled with what the country has taught me. The countries graciousness consumed me and I did find the poorer one was, the more they shared. I learned the value of fresh food and what it meant to actually eat properly. I started cooking for myself for the first time ever. (Turns out you have to lift the stove top before you turn the gas on, right Deanne?)
I saw that with fresh, nutritious soil you can grow food enough to feed your family. I valued the importance of trees and what a major role they play in the environment around us, I saw the meaning of true poverty and what it was like for women and children to live and sleep on the streets, I listened to people’s stories and embraced the Kenyan culture to the core. Personally, I learned the importance of family and friends and what it means to have your circle. I found in my time over there that there are things one truly needs to live a good life: clean water, food, shelter, family, friends, communication, and love. Obviously there are more variants to each of these, an income to buy essentials or transportation to and from, but these were my bases I discovered. I found all of these in Kenya, from the poorest of poor to the more well off. I relearned my values and what really matters in life, something we forget daily in the westernized world. The list of learned lessons goes on and on but I wanted to give a huge thank you to Deanne and Johnson.
Deanne, you saw me at my best and actual worst. You were there for me when I cried and was hungry and I can never repay you. I’ll miss our baileys and coffee mornings and our TV salad nights together. You let me be me without controlling and it was something I really needed. I learned (some) patience in the kitchen from you and will carry it with me going forward. You and the house became my sanctuary and it was so important for my time over there to have that. Your work is incredible and so passionate and I will be back to see Scotty’s!
Johnson, my man! The night you picked me up from the airport I knew we would be cool. You helped me in all the logistical Kenyan ways and I will forever be grateful for you. We ate all the Kenyan food together and had so much fun along the way. You helped me with “details” and made me realize, sometimes I don’t need every single one. You were right. I loved that you loved me embracing Kenya and I will always be – Atlanta girl.
