It's been almost a year and a half since I left Africa but there hasn't been a day that my thoughts have not drifted back to treasured memories
When I close my eyes
I can still feel their little hands in mine
I can see their bright smiles
I hear their voices calling my name
When I left Africa
I hear their voices calling my name
When I left Africa
I knew then that I would never be the same again.
Something had changed in me.
Somewhere deep within my soul I had been transformed.
I knew that God had led me to this place for a very special purpose. Never before have I felt so comfortable in my own skin.
It seemed as if for the first time in my life I felt truly
at HOME in a small township outside Johannesburg called Orange Farm, or sitting quietly in the back of a game vehicle as the morning sun began to glow across the African Sky. I will never forget the sounds and smells of the Africa Bush.
I have longed to spend another day watching a pride of lions feed or a herd of elephants look after a newborn.
My heart has yearned to return to Africa.
My friends and family have encouraged me to go back.
"What are you waiting for" they have asked.
I hadn't really considered returning because my husband just couldn't bear the thought of the long journey back.
One day he suggested I go alone.
I called this blog, Come Away With Me, finding MelindaLeigh, because this trip will be my first solo journey. This adventure is symbolic of a new stage of my life. Finding MelindaLeigh, will begin with my trip to Africa but will chronicle a new beginning for me. I spent the first fifty nine years of my life trying to find myself, trying to find where I belonged, and learning to accept myself. I thought once I became a mother and had a family I would be content. Later I thought once I began to work as a nurse I would find fulfillment. Then I believed if I could be an Addiction Counselor I would feel complete. It seems my whole life I have been trying to discover my Heavenly Fathers plan for me.
In Africa I learned to live in the moment. Africa taught me to slow down and be present. I leaned that happiness is found in the simple things, a hug, a smile, a listening ear, a beautiful song, a mother lion feeding her cubs, the breath of a baby rhino on your palm.
My heart yearns for Africa because Africa feels like going home.
I am almost 60 years old and I have known my husband since I was an 18 year old girl starting my second year of college.
We traveled all over the world together. We have had an amazing life as a couple. This trip to Africa is a solo journey for me. It will be strange not having him there to share the excitement with but I am really looking forward to all that will be revealed in the quiet moments of reflection as I learn to be comfortable with myself.
.
In two days I will begin a 30 hour solo journey to South Africa.
I invite you to
Come Away With Me
Something had changed in me.
Somewhere deep within my soul I had been transformed.
I knew that God had led me to this place for a very special purpose. Never before have I felt so comfortable in my own skin.
It seemed as if for the first time in my life I felt truly
at HOME in a small township outside Johannesburg called Orange Farm, or sitting quietly in the back of a game vehicle as the morning sun began to glow across the African Sky. I will never forget the sounds and smells of the Africa Bush.
I have longed to spend another day watching a pride of lions feed or a herd of elephants look after a newborn.
My heart has yearned to return to Africa.
My friends and family have encouraged me to go back.
"What are you waiting for" they have asked.
I hadn't really considered returning because my husband just couldn't bear the thought of the long journey back.
One day he suggested I go alone.
I called this blog, Come Away With Me, finding MelindaLeigh, because this trip will be my first solo journey. This adventure is symbolic of a new stage of my life. Finding MelindaLeigh, will begin with my trip to Africa but will chronicle a new beginning for me. I spent the first fifty nine years of my life trying to find myself, trying to find where I belonged, and learning to accept myself. I thought once I became a mother and had a family I would be content. Later I thought once I began to work as a nurse I would find fulfillment. Then I believed if I could be an Addiction Counselor I would feel complete. It seems my whole life I have been trying to discover my Heavenly Fathers plan for me.
In Africa I learned to live in the moment. Africa taught me to slow down and be present. I leaned that happiness is found in the simple things, a hug, a smile, a listening ear, a beautiful song, a mother lion feeding her cubs, the breath of a baby rhino on your palm.
My heart yearns for Africa because Africa feels like going home.
I am almost 60 years old and I have known my husband since I was an 18 year old girl starting my second year of college.
We traveled all over the world together. We have had an amazing life as a couple. This trip to Africa is a solo journey for me. It will be strange not having him there to share the excitement with but I am really looking forward to all that will be revealed in the quiet moments of reflection as I learn to be comfortable with myself.
.
In two days I will begin a 30 hour solo journey to South Africa.
I invite you to
Come Away With Me
No comments:
Post a Comment