December in Kenya feels even less real than November in Kenya. The closer it gets to the holidays, the more disoriented I become. Snow still hasn't fallen, and there aren't any Christmas lights or music on the streets. There are no candy canes or advent candles or nativity scenes. No crazy shopping or holiday parties, no cookies or santa hats. But, this year, something that reminds me of the holidays WILL be here. Something I missed out on last year, something that is way better than all the rest of all those trappings combined...
MY FAMILY.
I've mentioned it before, but now it's actually happening - the Wooley family will be here tomorrow. I've been in Machakos the last couple of days, wrapping up Pre-service Training sessions with the new trainees (about to be volunteers! They'll swear in on Wednesday like I did last year!) but instead of really focusing on what's happening here, my mind has been on my mom, dad and brother. They started their journey over 24 hours ago, and won't be here for another 22 hours or so (due to some layovers), but that's small change compared to how long I've been waiting to see them.
That's why I decided to write this entry today. I imagine that for the next few weeks, I won't feeling like tearing myself away from my family, even for a few moments to blog. But I wanted to send out a holiday greeting. Also, I would like to ask a favor. A Christmas wish, if you will:
One thing that's convenient about a blog is that it's an easy way to reach a lot of people at once. The obnoxious downside, however, is that it's hopelessly one-sided. I can write hundreds of words about what I'm doing, thinking and experiencing, but never know what YOU all are up to. I catch up with people occasionally, but this Christmas, I want to catch up with everyone at once.
So, if we know one another, I'm asking you to e-mail me an update on your life. I don't care if it's been a week, a month, over a year (or more) since we talked. I don't care if you have a novel to send me, or if you think you haven't done anything interesting and don't know what to write. Just tell me a story, a feeling or an idea. Tell me what you're thinking about, dreaming about and what's happened since we last caught up. Tell me something you've never told me before, or something you've told me a hundred times. No one is exempt. I can't wait to hear from you, all marafiki na jamii yangu (my friends and family).
So, have a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! I love and miss you all every day. Stay tuned to this blog at the beginning of January, I will have a lot to share once my family vacation is over, and when my next term of teaching starts.
Also, if you want to see some updated pictures, I finally uploaded more! Click here to see them.
Amani na upendo!
