I am about to make a bold statement. Brace yourselves.
When I get home, I will NOT miss Ghana.
(Gasps of wonder are appropriate at this time).
Really, consider it. Miss Ghana? Miss the humidity and heat, miss washing clothes by hand, miss unpredictable, red-faced, head-banging frustration with internet? Miss bumpy, pot-hole-ridden roads? Miss ants and mosquitoes and cockroaches? Miss not understanding three-fourths of what other people say to me?
I don't think so.
Nope. I won't miss Ghana anymore than I miss Washington right now.
(I guess you can gasp here too if you want).
Won't miss it anymore than I miss cool breezes and drizzly, overcast days, obnoxiously loud washing machines, and predictable internet that takes up far more of my time than it should. Not anymore than I miss smooth asphalt roads, or chickens or bunnies or neurotic dogs (sorry Rosy and Dodger), or understanding just a few four-letter words more in overheard conversations than I can comfortably stand.
I really don't miss all that. Really. I don't miss running water! I don't miss the food! I don't miss the cold!
Not that some days I wouldn't pay big money for a hot shower...or an Olive Garden salad (I drooled at the thought of that today)...or a trip to Antarctica.
If that is missing something, than I guess I do miss all that stuff. But I can live without it! I AM living without it. And I'm perfectly fine, thank you very much. When I think of home, is it missing those things that makes my stomach flop, my eyes sting and my heart swell? I'd be surprised if it was. Working computers don't make me feel that way. Steamy baths and scrumptious salads don't either.So what is it that I'm hurting for?
I see an image of sweet, smiling faces and wide, laughing mouths. I get a familiar scent and the feeling of arms around me... and the touch of a smaller hand in mine. I hear the sound of a voice I know saying words I don't get to hear...
It's the people that I miss, sillies. It's the people that I love. It's the people that I ache over late at night. It's you guys! You, my beautiful sisters and brothers. YOU, my incredible parents. YOU, my unique and precious friends. It's YOU I care about!
And, of course, it is people I will miss when I leave Ghana. I won't miss Ghana! Ghana is a place. It is never a place that really matters. It is YOU, dear friends I am just beginning to know. YOU matter. Always and forever. Wherever I am, and wherever you are. I will miss you.
I just love reading Rachel's blog:) Rachel, if you get this - we're proud of you back here, especially because, our pride is NOT why you're doing this. As you said so beautifully, it's the people, and people are worth it all. God bless you Rachel, we miss YOU. :) Pastor Rick
ReplyDeleteRachel, oh how I miss you too! Thank you for reminding me that it IS all about people - everywhere and everyday. I love you, and can't wait to have my sister back.
ReplyDelete*~Anneliese~*