On Saturday, I took tea on the roof under the light of the full moon. (Picturesque, but done out of necessity. Power outage.) Between the three traditional cups taken over the course of 20 to 50 minutes, I relaxed with my uncles and cousins, off-handedly switching between practicing wolof and translating hiphop lyrics for Momo.
Suddenly, a man bursts onto the roof; shouting, grinning, and welcoming the embraces of the other men. My uncles excitedly gather around him, smiles spread wide across their faces, hands swimming through the frenzy... now grasping a shoulder, now clapping a back, now clasping another hand. The man raises his head and shouts thanks towards the sky. The other men do the same. After a few minutes of mixed fran-wolof, I come to realize that this mystery man has just become a father for the first time.
What a welcoming for that child into the world.
Suddenly, a man bursts onto the roof; shouting, grinning, and welcoming the embraces of the other men. My uncles excitedly gather around him, smiles spread wide across their faces, hands swimming through the frenzy... now grasping a shoulder, now clapping a back, now clasping another hand. The man raises his head and shouts thanks towards the sky. The other men do the same. After a few minutes of mixed fran-wolof, I come to realize that this mystery man has just become a father for the first time.
What a welcoming for that child into the world.
posted by Meg at 12:42 PM
7 Comments:
I am breaking my silent reading of your blog. Why silent for so long, Caitlin? Silent because I haven't found the words to express my missing you, nor the words to celebrate your experience with you, nor the words to confront the emotions and questions that your words evoke in me. With each entry I imagine you in my unknown - Africa. Your words paint a foreign image of a very familiar person and I struggle to re-equilibrate in the familiar setting of Middlebury which feels foreign without you. Three months of missing you and no fewer than three more before a reunion.
I miss you and I love you. Thank you for sharing your experience with those of us who still hold a part of you on this continent.
Cai
Meg,
Thanks for sharing your amazing experiences with the world! What an adventure you are having. I'm so glad Leila and your mom told me about your blog so I can share your adventure vicariously. Your writing is so expressive.
Best wishes,
Leila's mom (Terry Bighash)
I'm trying to imagine what that sudden rush of emotions must be like for a brand new dad.
Pride - Hey look what I made!
Doubt - Were all of the necessary pieces included?
Togetherness - I have a FAMILY!
Panic - In how many different ways is my life forever changed? Is it going to be better, worse, or just different?
Lots more too, I bet. Real life dads, what was it like?
Do you want kids someday, Meg?
Sweetiepie,
Cool nights now. A moonlight read of your rooftop experience. Talked to Pat and he's good. Ready to curl up with Dad, but want you to feel our g'nite love first. A rub of your ear. Sweet dreams...for you, and your new family.
Love, Sun Moon Stars...
Momma
Dear suffering Viking Fan,
It took me a while to write up this week's vikings review. I think the football gods are angry at the vikings or at least angry at viking fans.
Some interesting facts. In two games, the vikings have nearly as many turnovers as they have points. They are averaging 6 (SIX!) turnovers per game. Last week I thought that Culpepper couldn't do any worse than he did in the first game. I was wrong. This week, I'm thinking (once again) that Culpepper can't do any worse than the last game. If I'm wrong, I'm returning my TV and swearing off Vikings for the year.
Yes, the vikings lost this week (37-8).
Yes, Culpepper looked terrible.
Next Sunday, we play the New Orleans Saints at the Metrodome. When we lose that game, at least we can blame it on 'Minnesota nice'. We just can't beat a team whose home town no longer exists. That would be too mean.
However, like all good Vikings fans, I'm looking forward to the weekend of October 8-9. I KNOW the Vikings will not lose on that weekend!!!
Love,
Le Viking Fan
Hello m'love, my favorite Pinky Capelette, just wanted to let you know Caitlin and I received with much excitement our carte postale, merci beaucoup! I'm listening to that beautiful song and thinking of you right now....I think impromptu dance parties in your honor also help....
mwah
Tiny Bubbles
Caitlin... if there were one person I was waiting to hear from. It. Was. You. Thanks for breaking the silence. Eloquence be damned, I just like to hear from you! Speaking of which, I received your birthday card just a few days ago and it brought tears of to my eyes...joy, sorrow, missing...everything. Love you so much. (Please post again! also, see the end of kate's comment section, applicable to you.)
Mrs. Bighash - Wow! I'm surprised and honored to have you reading this! Hope all is well in Colorado Springs, send my love to Leila.
Mystery Person - Pretty big emotions, huh? And I can only iagine how they must change for a mother once you add in that massive element of pain... Yes, when the time comes, I do hope to have children someday.
Mumsy - glad to hear Pat is well. Could you give him a nudge towards the blog? Also, let him knoa that a postcard is en route to Durango as we spaek :) Funny that you should mention the goodnight ear rub, I dreamt the other night (in a feverish sleep...see next blog entry) that I was curled up next to you getting one of my all-time favorite back scratches...mmmm
Le Viking Fan: Life is hard. And the universe is one big cosmic joke. Our mission as Vikings fans is to see the bigger picture...to find that intergalactic irony that can keep us chuckling rather than sobbing/cursing/throwing things through our new tvs. Find your football funnybone. God speed.
(let me guess...Oct 8/9 = a bi?)
Tiny Bubbles: Ok...funny story, but I actually woke up today with the words "Terrible Terminal Gets Roadrage!" in my head!!!! Haahahahhaaa...ohhh how I miss you. I'm mentally transferring myself to the futon that is coveting my spot in your room right now. Le Sigh. I'd rather dance with you than talk with you...
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