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April 13, 2005
She's doing well
A lot of people have been asking me lately about my mom. "Have you talked to her?" "How is she doing?" "Does she like it?" "Now what country is she in again and what exactly is she doing over there?"
I don't know why, but it's sort of bugging me. At the core of things, I appreciate their concern and interest. Am I just tired of repeating the same answer over and over? "She's doing well, I talked to her a week ago. She loves it. Nigeria. Jos, Nigeria. She's teaching teenage girls how to sew, and other basic skills like computer, nutrition, english, and secretarial skills. It's got its challenges, but she is really learning a lot and enjoying it." I have my little speech memorized.
Sometimes I think that they ask me how she is because they secretly want to hear about some impossibly trying situation that she is in.
Maybe I am tired of answering people's questions because I don't really know for myself. I know that she is ok and safe because I have asked her over the phone. But everything else is sort of this big mysterious chronicle of events and adventures. I don't feel honest passing on so much second hand information. I wish I could be there and see it and feel it and smell and taste and hear it. Then maybe I would have something to say.
Maybe I just miss her. Sometimes I find myself telling people that my mom is in Africa just for the shock value-- for their vote of sympathy. "Six years! Geez, that's a long time." It is a long time. And my mom is halfway around the world. When did that happnen?
-Libby
ps. Clarification: I'm not bitter about her leaving. I'm not even really bitter about people wanting to know how she is. I'm just not sure I am a confident source when I am still figuring out how life works when there is no mom to go home to.
Also, if you have any questions, go hear what she has to say about it all.
Posted by libbystokes at April 13, 2005 10:33 AM