I can't believe that Mom and I have already been in Africa for 11 days! Time passes so quickly here. It has been really cool getting to share this experience with Mom. I feel very much at home when I am at Mazzoldi House in Kenya or at the Novitiate in Tengeru, and I am welcomed like family. But I remember very clearly the feeling of tense excitement and anxious anticipation that permeated my first trip to Africa back in 2010. Our trip has been following almost the exact same program (with some very notable exceptions- more later!) that Dave and I followed when we were here together 2 years ago.
It has been incredibly touching to witness Mom seeing landmarks for the first time that she has dreamed of seeing since she was in high school. The Great Rift Valley, orphaned elephants being fed at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, adult elephants parading across the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, the clouds obscuring the unseen Kilimanjaro- all have reduced Mom to tears. But I think my favorite part has been introducing her to all of the AJs here, and having them greet her with such enthusiasm and joy. Everyone simply calls her "Mom," and I know that title carries with it a deep sentiment of love. Family connections are very important in African culture, so I think it means as much to these people to meet my mother as it does to my mother to meet these people.
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