it's becoming that time

A farewell party
Friday, 26 November, 2010

After getting through the disagreements amongst the teachers and listening to the things I don’t want people to remember about me, I realized people noticed the things I did because I knew they were right.

I was recognized for never missing a class.

I was recognized for caring about learners.

I was recognized for creating an atmosphere where learners were comfortable coming to me with their problems, even though it meant speaking English instead of Thimbukushu.

Then I got a chance to say something.

“You know I’m not a big talker, so I’ll be short. Even one minute. Yesterday was the biggest holiday in America, at least in my family. It’s called Thanksgiving. Traditionally it comes at the end of the harvest season. In my family, all of my cousins, aunts and uncles get together and we make a lot of food and enjoy. So I spent some time thinking about my family yesterday and really missing them.” Some nods, people know what it’s like to be away from their family here. If you get a job, you take it, no matter how far away it is and how infrequently you’ll see your loved ones. “But then I thought about my family here.” More nods, people also know what it’s like to create a family from strangers. “And I thought about what I’m thankful for. And I’m thankful for the last two years.”

“LELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELE!!!” The rest of my words were drowned out. I got a little while to collect my thoughts and continued.

“So thank you for everything you’ve taught me and for giving me the chance to teach you something. I hope that you’ve gotten as much out of me being here as I’ve gotten out of being here. I came here a mukuwa but I’m going back an Mbukushu, so thank you for that.”

“LELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELE!!!” And everyone broke into a farewell song about wishing me a safe journey.

Teachers were given a chance to say something. Ms Ndunda said she’s now a Schippers, not Ndunda anymore; we’re family. Thikukutu, who transferred after my first term in 2009 but came to the party to wish me a farewell, sang a song, translated as “Bye bye Lori, we’ll be missing you a lot.” When Thikukutu left I gave her a hug and thanked her for getting me through the rough patches of my first term. She told me I have to go and then come back to visit, not go forever. Siyanga and Matthew stood up and she told me that when I go, Ziggy and I won’t be seen anymore, but we’ll be in Matthew’s heart. It’s easier to talk through an almost 3 year old and a cat than about herself and me.

I have to keep telling myself that what this is, is just a long “see you later.” Because if it’s forever, I couldn’t deal with that.