Tsalani Bwino Malawi

Goodbye is such a complex word. One word, seven letters, yet a multitude of possible meanings. Different for each person in each instance they use it, spoken or unspoken. It can be said in joy, sadness, relief, pain, hope, despair, hurt, gratitude, or spite. On June 2 I had to say goodbye to my Malawi family and my home of the past seven months. How on earth could I begin to encompass what this experience has meant to me? My goodbye came from a place of sadness, gratitude, and hope.

Sadness – for the end of one of the BEST years of my life.

Gratitude – for the privilege of having gotten to know and become a part of a new community, and for the memories that will go with me the rest of my life.

Hope – for what the future may hold and for the memories yet to be made, some of which will only be possible because of this experience.

As I sit here for my too-long layover in D.C., back on U.S. soil, my mind is wandering. How many goodbyes have been witnessed in airports? More than could be quantified for sure. It was with tears in my eyes and a blown kiss in the air that I flew away from Chileka airport in Blantyre onwards to Addis Ababa with parents in tow to spend a few days traveling there and seeing my dad’s childhood home before the long endeavor home.

The adventures and stories highlighting my time since my last blog post are too numerous to be sorted through and recorded right now, but to sum it up, there were unexpected journeys, sadly canceled adventures, new countries, missed flights, heartbreaking announcements, rain, sunshine, sandcastles, and a plethora of treasured moments and memories.

Dear Malamulo family and the extended community from Thyolo to Blantyre, to Mulanje and Zomba:
Thank you. As ones who see people come and go in abundance while you remain, thank you for opening your hearts and homes to me even knowing that my time would end after too short a time. For a girl going to Africa for the first time by herself, you took me as I was and showed me a home. A community. Love. To the kids that filled my days with so much adventure, knowledge, and above all – joy, I hope you never forget how amazing you are and how much you can accomplish if you believe in yourself and commit to working hard. I learned so much from each of you and had the privilege of seeing you grow. Shar and Ryan – I wouldn’t have been in Malawi if not for you. You took care of me from the start and gave me a reason to be there. Thank you for trusting me with your amazing boys and for making sure I was always taken care of, whether that meant bringing me along as part of the family or stocking my fridge with leftovers on the weekends you left. For the board games, cricket lessons, and the dance offs in the kitchen. My heart is full.
Now, reading back, it appears I am being incredibly mushy and probably somewhat boring. But it’s from the heart. And for all who shared their hearts with me, it is only fitting that I return the favor.
I can’t wait to see where our paths will cross in the future – be it in Malawi, the U.S., Australia or Timbuktu… I look forward to the encounters!
Zikomo kwambiri and Tsalani bwino, Malawi. Stay well.

P.S. If in the future you should come visit me and I happen to own 5 dogs – mostly black furred, don’t judge. You will know who to blame for influencing me. ;)