April 15, 2010

Happy almost Birthday mom!

One of the things I enjoy here most are my early morning walks to the gym (Jazzercise I miss you!!!!) This gives me time to think, listen to my iPod, and notice things around me. This morning I was thinking about how we all fear the unknown. I saw a sheep tied up. It had horns so it may just be my lack of farm experience that made it difficult for me to recognize but I was afraid to walk near it. I didn’t know if it was dangerous or safe. I often chuckle when I take my dog for a walk and the Ethiopians, who are used to a dog being used just for guard service, shy away in fear. It’s all about what we have already experienced that forms our opinions. It made me question how many thing I am afraid of just because it’s unknown but also wonder how many things I misjudge because of my own history.

Another thing that caught me off guard this morning was walking by a small gathering. I assumed it was a coffee shop or something until I realized it was a funeral as I saw the eyes of the people. How short our lives are even if we have fifty more years to go. Once again I remembered to be grateful for today and promise myself to do my best.

Our very most exciting news is the successful surgeries. I’ve now lost track if it is 15 or 17 surgeries that we have participated in. I so wish you could see the look on the women’s faces that were hopeless just a few weeks ago. Anything can happen!

I’ve been busy with friends and employees making sure that things are in the best condition possible before I leave to come back to you. We are so very lucky to have Ethiopian help in designing the structures and systems that will be able to support our new growth. So honestly, this is the most relaxed time I have ever had in Addis. I’m even planning to visit a few museums tomorrow.

My friend told me a story. There is a certain kind of grass here with very extensive roots. The land can only be farmed if this root system is removed by the local cattle. It’s so fun to begin to understand the systems, very different from the ones that support our work in the developed countries. I know our future will be even better than the present.

I had an experience yesterday that will never leave my mind. I arrived at the office to find one of our very young girls in bed. When I asked about the problem, I was informed that she had just started her first menstrual cycle and was laying down. I quickly pulled her out of bed and told her that she needed some exercise to feel better and what she was experiencing is no different that all women experience. But I began to wonder about her Fistula. If it was her first cycle it could not have been caused by childbirth complications and because the Fistula was only a few years old, it also could not have been caused by premature penetration. That’s when the translator informed me that her Fistula had been caused by a knife rape.

What evidence that we have to continue our work!