A shooting star

I saw a shooting star last night. I saw the Milky Way last night (I would love to eat a Milky Way right now). I saw Saturn last night. The constellations here are amazing. I went outside to see if I could talk to Tony and had a bit of trouble getting through. I ended up talking to Webster, our night watchman for a while. It was really nice. He told me about his wife and his two children (a boy and a girl). He told me that when he saw his (now) wife that he knew he would marry her. First he asked around to see if she was loving anyone. Then he found out where she lived and went to talk to her brothers in the yard. He talked to her brothers several times before he made his intentions known. Once he inquired about their sister, the brothers told him that he could not talk to her until he proved that he was serious. So he came back repeatedly to warm chatter the brothers. They soon saw that he was serious and allowed him to talk to their sister. He talked to her three time and then decided they would marry. He asked me the US marital customs and told me about theirs. It was so neat talking to him. It sometimes hits me out of the blue……it being…..you are in Africa talking to Webster your night watchman, under the milky way, with Saturn across the street:) Neat…..Then while he was talking….wait…… Webster….sorry to interrupt but I just saw a star shoot across the sky so I can’t concentrate on what you are saying anymore!!! Once I composed myself and told everyone what I just saw, I returned to finish my conversation with Webster. Webster and I sat in front of a small pan of hot coals and talked about how men go see the father and offer a dowry. Yes, a dowry. Great idea. Why don’t we still do this in the US? By the way, Webster had no idea what I was talking about when I asked if he heard of jumping the broom. He did however look off longingly into the night air with a smile on his face and say, “I love her” (speak with an African accent). He spoke so well of his wife Ellah. He said that he loved her many times and repeated her name over and over. Ellah…Ellah….(speak with an African accent again) They have been married for six years and he still looks like he just saw her….. So I left Webster to night dream about Ellah and then went to see if I could talk to the one who makes me look longingly into space and smile:)
The day was full of mixed emotions. When we walked to the Haven for morning therapy we discovered that Kelly did not make it. We cried, said a prayer and then walked immediately to play with the kids. I could have cried for a long time but I did not want to. The kids did not know what happened and they were so happy to see us. Bright always calls my name from across the playground. “Marja!” Then he says nothing. I just think he likes saying my name. Later we found out that the burial would be at 2:30. They do not call them funerals here. They bury the children as soon as possible.
After therapy we left for lunch then put on shatangi and went to the funeral. It did take us a minute to get there because we had to drive Red Fred instead of Khaki Jackie. Red Fred didn’t want to cooperate and stalled out several times. Pretty funny trying to get to a burial and stalling out many times on the way. The burial did not start on time but it was all good because we got a chance to play with the babies and talk to Mrs. Merritt, the owner of the Haven and Eric’s house. Then the truck drove up with Kelly’s family. They climbed out of the back and then there it was…a tiny wooden coffin. We quietly walked behind Haven 2 to the burial ground. The women sang songs in Tonga on the way there. The burial was in Tonga so I did not understand what was said. They did give us the opportunity to see her before she was buried. She looked so peaceful. It was as if she fell asleep. Sweet Kelly. I know that God does not make mistakes and I was glad that she was at peace. My eyes were cloudy with tears but none fell. I heard sniffles from the girls and Be Weave (Dr. Weaver) behind me. Some of the aunties shed tears as well. Prayers were said then the nails were nailed. The women sang. They put Kelly in the ground and put several small branches on top. Then the men took turns shoveling the dirt into the hole. The women sang and we walked back to the Havens.
Yesterday was Ian’s birthday (Dr. Tullos’ new 13 year old) so we decided not to tell him about Kelly so that he could enjoy his day. Mrs. Hamby thought that it would be a great idea to go to Jordan’s rock to roast hot dogs over a campfire. She bought these huuuuuge avocados and the girls made guacamole and took nachos. Jordan’s rock is in the bush. It is a set of rocks that are reminiscent of the Lion King. We watched a beautiful African sunset, roasted hotdogs and laughed. The area looked like you would misc. see a zebra or lion walking around. Hey lion how’s it going? Hey zebra what’s going on? I looked out and just thanked God. He is sooo amazing. Soooo we really did play the Lion King song and Dan did pick Ian up like Simba. It was cute. I love it here.
We left once the skitas started coming out because we def. didn’t want to catch the malaria. After leaving the bush is when I went out to the porch to star gaze and talk to Tony…..ahhh Tony (say in a southern accent) lol….Great end to an eventful day.