Day One, Attempt Three

Well let me try again. My first blog disappeared and I had a little mental meltdown so after everyone here consoled me and encouraged me…

I woke up to the strange sound of Kenyan birds and thought “Wow, we’re really here. “ Tonight at dusk writing this to the sound of Kenyan crickets singing, I think about how grateful and lucky I am…for my family, friends and everything I have been fortunate enough to experience.

We started this morning by going to a race sponsored by Sandy. This has given many athletes a chance to enrich their lives and develop as athletes. There were about 36 Kenyan runners. Sandy wore her “In my dreams I’m a Kenyan runner” t-shirt. Three were para-Olympic runners. One was deaf and one was blind. The blind runner had an elastic rope on his wrist pairing him with his team mate. There were also 6 women. To me, they were all winners.

This afternoon we went to visit a very special man, Daniel Juma. His story was inspirational and a tribute to the human spirit. He was afflicted with polio as a child and so, as per the cultural norm, he was hidden from society and denied any outside social activity or education. He tells of an American missionary who took him in gave him a home and an education. I hope she knows how many people’s lives this have benefitted. Daniel Juma is married to a women I was not fortunate enough to meet today. Together, they have 29 children. Seven, I think are biologically theirs and the others were orphans that they have taken in. Daniel is quite entrepreneurial and a very wise man. He has taken something given to him, monetary and otherwise, and he has grown this into so much. He is educating and giving a loving inclusive home to all these children. I imagine if they were to contribute as much to the lives of others as he has…

“To the world you may be only one person, but to one person you may be the world “

Well as someone in my life has encouraged me, I will try to take in and cherish every minute so that I can always remember. I am so blessed.

Xo ada, mom, gramma