When I came sashaying into this world nearly 24 years ago, I was not a normal baby but a long baby. Kindergarten class photo- tallest one in the back row. Every Christmas program, choir concert and class photo ever since that day have rendered me in the back row next to the boys. Yuck.
I would have given anything to give away some of my inches. Blend in. That’s all I wanted. I lived with the local posture police, my mother, who refused to let me slouch, making that an impossibility. I was out first at every limbo contest at the roller skating rank in Cody. I had to wear stretchy pants because there were no jeans that were long enough, and my grandpa still to this day tells me I am tall enough to hunt geese with a rake.
Whine. Cry. Drama. I tell my mom all the time if my daughter is anything like I was when I was young, I am sending her back.
It has been a growing process to rise above my height (audience laughs), but I did.
Being in Saboba has brought back some of those memories of being that awkward girl only because I am significantly taller than most people here, especially the woman. They carry way too much on their heads that it has literally stunted their growth. People always used to tell my parents they needed to put bricks on my head so I would stop growing. I would politely smile like I was taught and think, “Hey buddy, how ‘bout I hit you with the brick huh?!”
Eventually I figured it out and learned to be happy in my own skin. I do not think about what I look like in comparison to others like I used to when I was younger and I am very comfortable being me, which is a really great place to be with yourself. This mindset has saved me in Ghana, as I mentioned yesterday, or I would be tempted into an identity crisis! In Ghana, I am legitimately twice the size of most people, which is a little awkward sometimes, especially when little men looking for a fat wife point that out.
There are just so many funny, awkward things that happen here and much of it arises from the way I look.
Today, Trinity and I went to her seamstress since Sarah, God bless her, made the most hideous dresses for me. I wanted a long summer dress made because the ones in the States are often too short. I had drawn one out for Lucy, my new seamstress, and she was taking my measurements while Trinity translated. Bent over, she is held the tape measure at the middle of my shin.
Lower.
She moves it down a couple inches.
Lower still.
She is still above my ankles.
I am talking to Trinity who is talking to Lucy, explaining that I want it as close to the ground as possible.
Lucy says something in Likpaakpaln and all the ladies in her shop burst out laughing along with Trinity.
“She says there is no more.”
I look down to find the end of the tape measure blowing in the breeze. Oh dear. I am longer than the tape measure and they have never seen such a thing on a woman before!
Years ago, I would have burst into tears, but today, I laughed a good laugh.
Kristi made it to the hospital today. All were rejoicing at her homecoming. She still had a canula in her hand for her typhoid medication that can only be given this way (or as a booty shot) and they all commented on it. This poor girl has been through the ringer but she is doing so well. We even played peanuts/nertz/pounce tonight! Wyoming vs. Texas. So far, Wyoming is in the lead;)
I was so thrilled to find that "Jessie's Girl" was on the radio in the hosptial today and you better believe I sang along. Springsteen in Saboba.. how 'bout that?
Big news: Saboba is changing colors. I noticed a light green tint has carpeted our world here after that last rainstorm. I cannot wait to see this place all green!
AHHH! I am being swarmed again and I cannot stand to be by this computer any longer!
Thank you thank you for your continued support and prayers. That makes me sound like I am at an award show giving an acceptance speech, but I am really serious. It means so much to me and you have no idea, until I get back and tell you in person and show you picture and videos, of what that has enabled me to do. God bless you a million times over today.
No comments:
Post a Comment