It was a great party and a wonderful testament to the work that Michelle and the other doctors have done this year. For a place that was filled with stories of sadness, heartache and frustration, it was great to see the other side of the coin.. I hear stories from Michelle everyday, and most of them are about the challenges, illnesses, obstacles people here face. This ceremony was filled with laughter and some wonderful dancing by not only Malawians, but Michelle .... Michelle and her colleagues spent a few hours at our house the night before the party working on a choreographed Malawian dance to show off in front of a room full of Malawians.. That's pretty bold... I told the woman I was sitting next to at the party.. "There's nothing funnier than seeing a bunch of white people dance in front of a bunch of Africans." She agreed whole heartedly.
The party was good for me to see. Michelle has been involved in some amazing work here and I sometimes lost sight of that. When she is working all the time, sleeping, breathing, eating work, it's difficult not to wonder if it was worth coming here.. But seeing where she worked, the people she worked with and their gratitude reminded me that there's no doubt it was worth it....
I told Michelle last night, I couldn't help but wish that Africa was closer to home.. Michelle loves the work here.. It's pretty easy to see. She loves the challenge, loves being able to put into practice what she knows and really help people... She gets that from her husband I think...
So, another chapter of life here in Africa is almost done.. I think with another year under our belt of living in the motherland, it kind of makes us legit... We've done our time in Africa and it will always be a part of us.. There won't be another day in my life that I won't think of this place.. I told Cosmas the other day that he is a part of our family... He agreed. And I don't think I can close the book on Malawi... I have a feeling we will be back. I know Michelle will be back many, many times... But I can't help but feel like I'll see another beautiful Malawian sunset sometime in the future.
The kids are wrapping up school today with some awards ceremonies, and class parties.. Michelle heads to Salima for some research work, and me and the kids will meet her at the lake for a long weekend.. We've rented a private home on the lake with a private pool.. Nice way to finish the school year.. Although it is officially cold here in the evening.. Michelle and I went out for a cocktail last night and opted to sit outside.. We had sweaters, scarves and jackets on.. I know I've said on many, many occasions that the weather is perfect... But now it is REALLY perfect... 70-75 during the day.. 50 at night for sleeping.. Great baseball weather. Ok below is the video of Michelle's dance...Then some 65 year old women showing them how to really dance.. Photos are Michelle with some of her coworkers.. Please watch the videos for some good laughs (Michelle and her coworkers) and some amazing Malawian dancing(2nd video).
Hope all is well back home..
And then here's the dance that followed.. Kind of a big difference
