Joining in with Lisa Jo from The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Fridays…Here are the rules…
This is the time of the week when we steal those five minutes while the kids are fingerpainting the dining room table, the neighbor’s dog has stopped barking, or the microwave is popping some corn to splash down some thoughts on paper.
In just five minutes.
To paint a verbal picture. To just write and not worry if it’s just write or not.
- 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
GO
Home…
The landing gear goes down.
We hit U.S. soil for the first time in nine days. We are in our home country.
We exit our aircraft and flee for coffee.
I spring for a white chocolate mocha as a matter of fact.
It’s clean.
It’s paved.
It’s not crazy crowded.
There is room to move.
And yet not as many people talking to one another.
More people on their phones. Including us.
No one is carrying eggs on their heads. Or oranges. Or pots and pans (yes, I saw this).
Everyone is wearing shoes.
No one looks hungry.
I cling to the memory of the clay-dirt streets, the oppressive humidity, the chocolate brown eyes. The slower pace, the chicken and rice, the unapologetic love of Jesus. The bumpy unpaved roads that grow new grooves with every rain, the roosters in the morning, the Volvic water.
I relish the thought of the chubby hands around my neck in another hour. The sing-song giggles, the squeals of joy after a mama who has been gone from her babies for far too long returns.
The warm kiss of a mate who sees me just a bit differently now.
I straddle two worlds and leave a piece of my heart in the other.
I am almost home.
STOP.
Written from the perspective of landing in the Detroit airport from Accra, Ghana to Amsterdam to Detroit…
Hi! I found you through the 5-Minute-Friday linkup. I love the picture you’ve painted. It’s amazing the things we take for granted until we’ve been away for a bit… Hope you have a blessed day today!
What an amazing blog…your post was so interesting! I’m your newest follower.
I wanted to let you know about a Meme called “Pay It Forward” @ A Life-Size Catholic Blog. If you can find time to link up with this new Meme it’s a great way to grow our blogging community. Check it out at: http://alife-sizecatholicblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/pay-it-forward-iv.html
Many blessings…
Love it Natalie. Although I had to chuckle when I saw this line in your post and wondered if it was on purpose or not…. rather ironic!!! :)
“To just write and not worry if it’s just write or not.”
hee hee!!!
Love reading all your Ghana posts! God Bless!
Oh I LOVE IT. My 16 year old daughter is, right now, in Swaziland, South Africa. The picture you paint with your words will ring true with hers when she comes home as well. I want to go. Anywhere. Now. Dear Lord.