After visiting the schools I came back to Mama Gertrude's to see the progress Zach had made with help from friends on the terrace to his house. It was lots of fun watching the men use rickety homemade ladders then hoist and balance themselves. Meanwhile Chris and Evan played with their new mouse puppet making up shows and enjoying the treats that Steve had bought them.
I asked Steve about whether or not the tooth fairy comes to Africa. He told me that instead of putting teeth under your pillow for the tooth fairy to get they throw their teeth on top of the roof so the teeth will grow in faster. It is simple details like this that I wish I could witness. This is the advantage of living in another country rather than just passing through.
Sadly- Ronnie's cousin died this week in a car accident leaving behind a wife and young kids. When someone dies the family gets together multiple times. They get together before and also after to check on each other. The family members also must raise money to contribute to the costs of the funeral. Mama Gertrude road with us in the matatu to go be with some of the family during this time. We had many people see us off as we waited on the road for our ride.
We made it safely down to the car where we left it after piling the matatu with various passengers along the way. We were to meet my safari driver at the Petrol Station in Voi then Mama, Ronnie, and Steve would go on to visit with family. Mama took tea as we waited and I got to have some one on one time with her. I think this moment was one of the most special ones I have had. She had already given me a bunch of bananas from her yard in a motherly gesture (and I have her a small contribution to the funeral). It wasn't that moment, but it was when she asked about my mother. As we looked each other in the eyes I told her that yes my mother was still living. She told me to tell my mother she said hello and that we were welcome to come visit anytime. My eyes filled with tears. I don't know how exactly to explain it except that she knew how much mothers mean and that the greatest gift she could give me was asking about something so dear to me and inviting us into her home at anytime. Mothers are mothers near and far. By sending me off with food, graciousness, and love I felt taken care of on the other side of the world.