Cathy's Christmas

Things just seem to work out sometimes. As I was able to track down my long-lost package of PT supplies the morning of Christmas Eve, I knew it was going to be a great day. Despite the fact that the box wasn't even at the post office, in some ill-marked shack and had in fact been sitting in its location for 15 days, the anticipation of meeting with Cathy and her family blinded me with patience and acceptance. I think I even managed a laugh when they said "Oh, its been sitting here forever! You should have come earlier!"

In the face of loneliness that always arises during a Christmas spent away from family, an awareness of what this day was expected to bring, supposed to mean and eventually delivered in a way that anticipation always completely lacks, my emotional state was one that was enveloped in true happiness. I can say that not many things have brought a sense of satisfaction as great as what coordinating Cathy's prosthetic has. Getting to see her walk around smiling, is something I wish each of you could witness. To that end, I boarded my matatu bound for Muserechi, arriving about an hour later at a small "center" along the road. The center consisted of 3 or 4 wooden shacks selling Dasani water and other Coke products, Safaricom cards(the local phone service provider) and honey. Perpendicular to these was a long, dusty, unpaved road. Following my directions, I started my way. With mountains at my back and the sun almost directly overhead, I traipsed and tripped down the path with farms lining both sides. I was looking for Cathy's primary school, directly across from her home, which according to the sign at the intersection was 4.5 km away. I passed farms and yards with mango trees, huge gardens and towering strange plants all, unfortunately, not near the road and unable to provide any shade. I've been saying that it has been getting hotter lately, and the stroll was as hot as I have been here. You can truly sense that you are appreciably closer to the sun, as in the shade, it is quite cool throughout the day. In the sun, it was just scorching. Then again, I do have somewhat of a heat intolerance.

I'd guess about 35 minutes later I saw the school and across the road, at the entrance to the yard, was Cathy and her mom, both standing and waiting for me. On two legs. It is a sign of reverence and respect to take your left hand and hold your right forearm to shake someone's hand here, and this is how I am always greeted. Cathy is still using her crutches for balance, but it is improving greatly, and she now scoots about the place pretty quickly. Over the course of the day, I found out a bit more about the family. Cathy's father left when he could not afford to support them. Cathy's mother worked as the school cook for Cathy's primary school, up until Cathy's graduation 2 years ago. The "compound" they live on has 5 buildings, in which one other family and numerous animals live. All of the structures are no more than 15' x 15'. The one Cathy and her 5 other family members lived in was struck by a falling tree during last year's rainy season. So, they rearranged and shifted to their current one. They have no lease and are staying free due to the kindness of the school owner, as Cathy's mother is no longer the cook now that Cathy has moved on to secondary school. I met one of Cathy's two sisters and her brother and numerous other friends and family, of which is exact designations are really hard to decipher as everyone calls everyone else aunt, uncle, brother and mother, though sometimes no real relation exists.

After I sufficiently cooled off from my hike on Mercury, we almost immediately sat down to our Christmas dinner. Forgotten by me, I had actually talked about mala (the soured/curdled/seasoned milk concoction) to Cathy and her mother before, stating that I had not really enjoyed the encounter so much. They eliminated mala from memory of my statement from the menu, which eased my stomach right there. We had rice with cabbage, sukumuwiki (definitely spelled wrong... and which is like spinach) and chipati (which is like flour tortillas). It was all quite good and followed by drinking chai. I was then serenaded by Cathy, who is the lead vocalist in her church choir, and her whole family with a Swahili Christmas carol. I was able to capture the whole thing on video, but which you guys will have to wait for, as it is a huge file. I gave Cathy's mom a framed picture of Cathy and Cathy an album of her "milestones" at the hospital. They were looked at multiple times by each of the people there, as they really have a fascination with pictures. Maybe I could import them, so someone could enjoy all my slide-shows consecutively!

Everything was very relaxed and conversation ranged from local politics and Obama to US visa regulations. Kenyans are very keen to move to the States, as visions of the American dream flourish over here.

As I had told Emily I would be returning in the evening, I set off before dusk, saying many reluctant goodbyes. It was a Christmas with nothing resembling normal, but stuffed with more meaning than any I can remember. Everyone who gave to this cause was thanked by Cathy, her mother and family, the leader of the church and all of her neighbors. Her mother pulled me to the side as I was leaving and said that Cathy has renewed hope;

"hope for her life and future in this world... we thank you."

Have you ever given a better gift? Have you ever received a better gift?

I haven't.