Embracing Life

"Only the mountains will never meet"
-African Proverb

I got really sad news today. A friend of my younger sister died last night in a car accident. I have been very, very fortunate in life to have barely lost anyone I'm close to. While I lost a close acquaintance a few years back, I've somehow, luckily, never experienced a really deep, profound loss. While I only met my sisters friend once or twice, I haven't been able to get it off of my mind all day. She was our age, and was just driving home one night, and that was it. I can't stop thinking about what a tragic loss it is.

It really got me thinking about my life (what else is new??). Do I have things left unsaid? Do I have any regrets? If (God forbid) I was hit by a bus (or, more likely, a matatu) tomorrow, would I be happy with my life? Yes, I think I would be, but man, do I have so much more I want to do! Seriously, life is so precious and precarious. Note to self: Life every second with a full heart, and keep on embracing life!!

Anyway, back to Africa...Yesterday morning we came back from Mombasa, and did a little packing at the hotel. Then we took a bunch of my colleagues out for dinner (Thanks, CIDA!) to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. About half of the people from the office ended up making it out, and it was a wonderful time, filled with much laughter! The evening ended with some "informal" speaches, which ended with Nat and I holding back tears. Then we headed home, did a bit more packing, and headed to bed.

This morning, I was up at the very crack of dawn to get ready for my last day of work. Nat got up with me, and we had coffee and chit chats and tears and laughs, and then it was time to head to work for the last time. It was truly on the of nicest days I've ever experienced in my life. I can still remember the party my family threw for me when I graduated from highschool years ago. We all went to my grandparents house, and had the nicest afternoon I can remember. I left the farewell party they had for me at work today with the same warm, glowing feeling that I had inside that day.

The day started off like any other: in my cold, dark office at the end of the hall (I mean this with all the fondness in the world, mind you!) Then, at about 11:05 am, we headed to the boardroom for my 10:00am farewell meeting (Gotta love Kenya time...) If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may remember the Kenyan Birthday Party post; today's party followed the same format. First of all, they talked about the work I've done during my internship. I feel like I worked my hardest this summer, but their regocnition for my efforts went above and beyond what I even deserved. Then everyone went around the room saying a personal goodbye message, which ranged from several minutes of the kindest words I've ever heard, to a simple "Delaney, I'll really miss you...", which was equally touching. Then they asked me to say a few words. I was really worried I'd break down in tears, so I just said a few quick words of thanks, and handed out personalized greeting cards that I'd written out, which I hope came close to expressing the immense gratitude I feel towards them.

Next, they gave me my Swahili name. They had been joking around about this for weeks, but it was truly the nicest part of the entire day. Caroline, the lady who makes lunch and tea for us every day, stood up, and told me that she had picked a Kikuyu name for me, Makena. Everyone kind of gasped in approval, and they told me it meant "One who is always happy".
I was so flattered beyond belief. Then she presented me with a beautiful kanga, which is a large piece of fabric that women wear either as a skirt or shawl or to swaddle their babies on their backs. She tied it around my waist, and I was so touched! I was certainly not expecting anything!!

Then Jonathan and Kennedy presented me with a matching pair of beaded sandals, which again just shocked me! I was like a little girl on Chistmas morning. Then Elly gave me a carved wooden turtle, which was so sweet! We have a joke that I'm the giraffe, Natalie is the cheetah, and Elly is the turtle. We both gave him toy animals to sit on his desk to remind him of us when we go, but I wasn't expecting a turtle to take home with me! He's such a dear friend, and it was such a sweet gesture! AND THEN Jane presented me with a beautiful purse. I am still so overcome by their generosity! We all had tea and cake, it was lovely. Then we headed outside, where I got pictures taken with almost everyong, dressed with my new outfit.

The afternoon passed quickly as I cleaned out my desk and got last minute things together. For some reason, everyone seemed to be leaving early today, and so one by one, people kept coming into my office to say goodbye. Several people were quite wet-eyed, and one even had tears as goodbyes were exchanged. Somehow I managed not to cry ALL day. My voice cracked three times, but no tears left my eyeballs, and I think considering the circumstances, thats pretty amazing!

The drive home was so hard. Elly and I were both so glum, and Nat came and joined us for a HUGE hug outside the hotel before we finally said our goodbyes. My cell phone has been going off all night, with even more farewell messages. I can't believe how emotional everyone got today. I guess maybe I touched them the way they touched me. They kept taling about how much they will miss my smiles and laughter echoing through the halls. Trust me, I'll miss making my laughter echo in the halls...

Now, I feel strangly devoid of emotion. I feel like our time in Mombasa got all my tears out. I'm very sad to be leaving, but in a way I'm glad to be hurting. If I was super anxious to get home, I think it would say something about how I spent my time here. I'm glad I've enjoyed it so much that it hurts to leave! What I kept reminding myself of today is that it's not goodbye. I have every intention in the world of returning to Kenya, and rejoining my new, loyal friends here. What Elly taught me is true: Only the mountains will never meet.