Friday, February 21, 2014
Reflections All Around: "Ever has it been that love knows not its own dept...
Reflections All Around: "Ever has it been that love knows not its own dept...: 25 January, 2014 I contemplated what to write about on this day, because of its significance. Should I write about a failed revolution o...
Sunday, January 26, 2014
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
25 January, 2014
I contemplated what to write about on this day, because of its significance. Should I write about a failed revolution or the vision of families missing one of its members and wondering what that person's life was wasted for. I am far too sad, to burden myself with that image. So, I am going to write about how kindness grows where friendship does.
My second year in Nairobi just started. I fell I am at cross roads as I plan my next steps. But my friends, my neighbours, next door are already clear on their next steps. They are heading back home to Switzerland and they are all packed. Before they head back home, they will set on another adventure south, in the heart of Africa for a few weeks. They would then get on a boat and head north clockwise from south Africa all the way to Europe.
It has been one year that we spent together door to door. Our kids became friends despite their age difference. I felt safe in this new city, with them around; while they got to learn a bit more about what this Egyptian muslim woman stands for. Veronica and I had our fair share of story telling every day as we drove to work. We talked about the UN, bosses, husbands (trying to be bosses too), children (bossing other children around), our friends, dreams, our experiences in kenya and so much more. For the next few months, that road to work will be so lonely as I drive it on my own. I will only have my thoughts and some background music to keep me company and I will smile every time I remember Veronica's stories and will miss her each time I have a story to tell.
I, who come from the warm middle- eastern culture have grown to learn about how neighborhood should be from my Swiss friends. They are atypical in their warmth too which helped bond our friendship. I will miss hearing Bruno call his two children from the window to come up for dinner. I will miss the sound of his funny laughter and his kind nature. He amazed me at how self contained and organised one can be in the toughest of situations. As I stood there early in the morning to say goodbye, I watched him as he started fitting their luggage in the boot of that unexpected tiny car. He didn't lose his nerves, i would have. He just took a moment, adapted to the situation at hand. He didn't spoil the day, yell at the driver or flip while communicating to his children. And you know what, it worked out just fine. They would truly be uncomfortable sitting six hours in this tiny car all the way to Arousha but he didn't ruin his day or any one of his families for that matter.
My daughter and I were in tears as we said goodbye. It is hard to say goodbye to what made you happy. Malak will surely miss Anna and Lenos despite the brief time. We connected at a personal and human levels and we felt like family. I tried to comfort Malak and let her know that we will visit them some time, and will invite them over to Egypt when things miraculously settle down. I hope we can. But until then, it is important to cherish the time we spent together and the memories we have made. We may or may not meet again soon enough but when someone has been part of your life, it is helpful to think of what they have added. I can comfortably say, my swiss friends added generously a sense of "home" as I lived far away from home. They had iftar with me in Ramadan as I broke my fast, we exchanged Christmas gifts, we went on Safaris together and we exchanged vegetables when we ran out of onions or tomatoes or whatever. When someone makes you feel home, they have touched you at a very deep level. I am also confident how they feel about us and that we have also touched their lives with some kindness. There is no doubt, they will remember us likewise.
This thought, triggered an answer to a question my friend who always challenge me with difficult questions posed. She said "Why do you leave the door opened for those who add nothing to your life?". My answer to her today is: You are right! There are people who are worth keeping in our lives and there are those who we should gently walk them out and close the door behind. Having Bruno, Veronica, Anna and Lenos; as well as some wonderful other friends I met here who I will name them in other stories has added kindness to my life. The kindness you want to have more in your world to add up and make the world better. I certainly need to do a lot of cleaning of my closet and search for such gems to replace the piles that will add nothing but clutter to my life.
My dear Swiss friends, you are among the gems that I found this year and plan to keep. Thank you for revealing yourselves and see you soon.
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
I contemplated what to write about on this day, because of its significance. Should I write about a failed revolution or the vision of families missing one of its members and wondering what that person's life was wasted for. I am far too sad, to burden myself with that image. So, I am going to write about how kindness grows where friendship does.
My second year in Nairobi just started. I fell I am at cross roads as I plan my next steps. But my friends, my neighbours, next door are already clear on their next steps. They are heading back home to Switzerland and they are all packed. Before they head back home, they will set on another adventure south, in the heart of Africa for a few weeks. They would then get on a boat and head north clockwise from south Africa all the way to Europe.
It has been one year that we spent together door to door. Our kids became friends despite their age difference. I felt safe in this new city, with them around; while they got to learn a bit more about what this Egyptian muslim woman stands for. Veronica and I had our fair share of story telling every day as we drove to work. We talked about the UN, bosses, husbands (trying to be bosses too), children (bossing other children around), our friends, dreams, our experiences in kenya and so much more. For the next few months, that road to work will be so lonely as I drive it on my own. I will only have my thoughts and some background music to keep me company and I will smile every time I remember Veronica's stories and will miss her each time I have a story to tell.
I, who come from the warm middle- eastern culture have grown to learn about how neighborhood should be from my Swiss friends. They are atypical in their warmth too which helped bond our friendship. I will miss hearing Bruno call his two children from the window to come up for dinner. I will miss the sound of his funny laughter and his kind nature. He amazed me at how self contained and organised one can be in the toughest of situations. As I stood there early in the morning to say goodbye, I watched him as he started fitting their luggage in the boot of that unexpected tiny car. He didn't lose his nerves, i would have. He just took a moment, adapted to the situation at hand. He didn't spoil the day, yell at the driver or flip while communicating to his children. And you know what, it worked out just fine. They would truly be uncomfortable sitting six hours in this tiny car all the way to Arousha but he didn't ruin his day or any one of his families for that matter.
My daughter and I were in tears as we said goodbye. It is hard to say goodbye to what made you happy. Malak will surely miss Anna and Lenos despite the brief time. We connected at a personal and human levels and we felt like family. I tried to comfort Malak and let her know that we will visit them some time, and will invite them over to Egypt when things miraculously settle down. I hope we can. But until then, it is important to cherish the time we spent together and the memories we have made. We may or may not meet again soon enough but when someone has been part of your life, it is helpful to think of what they have added. I can comfortably say, my swiss friends added generously a sense of "home" as I lived far away from home. They had iftar with me in Ramadan as I broke my fast, we exchanged Christmas gifts, we went on Safaris together and we exchanged vegetables when we ran out of onions or tomatoes or whatever. When someone makes you feel home, they have touched you at a very deep level. I am also confident how they feel about us and that we have also touched their lives with some kindness. There is no doubt, they will remember us likewise.
This thought, triggered an answer to a question my friend who always challenge me with difficult questions posed. She said "Why do you leave the door opened for those who add nothing to your life?". My answer to her today is: You are right! There are people who are worth keeping in our lives and there are those who we should gently walk them out and close the door behind. Having Bruno, Veronica, Anna and Lenos; as well as some wonderful other friends I met here who I will name them in other stories has added kindness to my life. The kindness you want to have more in your world to add up and make the world better. I certainly need to do a lot of cleaning of my closet and search for such gems to replace the piles that will add nothing but clutter to my life.
My dear Swiss friends, you are among the gems that I found this year and plan to keep. Thank you for revealing yourselves and see you soon.
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
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