It's My Birthday And I'll Cry If I Want To-La La

-------------------------May 2007- My first Birthday in Uganda-----------

Dear Friends

No need for crying this birthday as I have never felt better in my life!

I am where I want to be, doing what I want to do and I feel as if it is all in Gods Plan. Now that ‘taint a bad place to be as you approach your Medicare Birthday- smile.

A dear friend know how much I am a fan of St. Brigid (the Irish one, of course) and sent me a beautiful prayer credited to her which I would like to share with you as my gift to you, on my Natal day.

---------------------------------

“I would like the angels of heaven to be among us.

I would like an abundance of peace.

I would like full vessels of charity.

I would like rich treasures of mercy.

I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.

I would like Jesus to be present.

I would like the three Marys of illustrious

renown to be with us.

I would like the friends of heaven to be

gathered around us from all parts.

I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord,

that when I should suffer distress,

he would bestow good blessing upon me.

I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.

I would like to be watching heaven’s family

drinking it through all eternity.”

St. Brigid of Kildare

451 – 525

Then I will quickly speak of the highlight of my life since returning from my month long holiday with friends Bill and Carol. And yes, Cousin George, I will soon have a Blog about the Gorilla trekking we did in Rwanda-smile.

Michael becomes bigger, healthier and more adorable daily. I have been having several conversations with the movers and shakers around here about his future. When something solidifies you’ll be the first to know, but for now, Michael and I are enjoying each day together (and occasionally the nights as well). I told him if he wants to be up at night he should have picked a much younger `Mama Michael`-ha.

Well the big news is :I have learned how to carry him on my back Ugandan style! It is really quite an experience for both of us, as most Ugandan babies start very early so, the posture is quite an unusual one for Michael.

As for me, well being American I had never even considered such a feat, but now that I’ve tried it, I like it. It leaves both hands free to do whatever and it is quite comforting for the baby, as well. The enclosed photo was Day one of this endevour, when it was all very new, but since then, we’ve walked the grounds several times, always causing quite a stir, as it is a rare thing to see a muzangu (white person) with a baby on her back.

Last Saturday, I truly believe I deserved an Award (not sure from whom), as I served over 100 children lunch {AIDS Orphans Saturday} while carrying Michael on my back!

A bit too busy to get a photo so you’ll just have to take my word that it was incredible!

Another story of a deserved award happened the day before, when we went on an Outreach to Rubuguri-maybe an hour + drive on the skinniest , most awful road you could ever imagine. This place is so far up in the mountains and away from civilization that apparently the carrier pigeon didn’t get the word out that we were coming as only 20 people showed up for testing for HIV.

Okay, maybe I jest about the carrier pigeon, but not about the poor attendance. We have been averaging 100 to 120 people and that day, only 20 people showed up.

Well, I have yet to tell you why I should receive an award: not because I traveled that far for so little, but because I needed to use the bathroom when I arrived and a tree just wouldn’t do-smile. So, after inquiring where the latrines were, I had to walk thru town (okay another misnomer as there is no town, just many people standing or lying around gawking at my every move—and this was one `move` I wanted to be in private.).

So I walked ½ mile to find a boarded up tiny building and for some unknown reason this shack was locked. I just stood on this hill in view of everybody, wondering what the heck to do next, when a guy arrived to unlock the door. When I went inside this room the size of a small closet, I marveled at what would be the reason for locking this dirt floor, window –less space with simple a dirt hole in the ground. My, o my, it was definitely the most primitive of all my bathroom experiences in Uganda. When I walked back, I almost expected applause from the villagers-ha, but no applause or award for “making do”.: which seems to be the theme of my life this past year+.

I have started to work in the Pediatric Ward in the afternoons taking Vitals of all the children. I love it! It is another glorious ”add on” to my job description and has opened a whole new world for me.. Lots more about that in the future.

I had planned to make a “massage” a birthday tradition but the only therapist in town is on leave for the entire month of May. Shucks, I guess I’ll just make a large batch of chocolate chip cookies with the Ghiardelli choc.chips Bill brought me and, maybe, just eat the batter without even cooking them- (hum, some things never change whether you are 6 or 60-Ha).

-------------------------------MARIE-----