Home, Sweet Home

Dear Friends and Family... Just a quick note to let you know that I've arrived safely from Uganda, unscathed except for the emotional bruising that comes from traveling in the developing world and, at the end, having the luxury of leaving.

The letters and farewell songs are seared in my heart. As I was traveling to town to print my ticket on Tuesday, my students followed me to the juncture with the main road.

"Madam Shannah, safe journey!"
"Madam Shannah, God bless you abundantly."
"Madam Shannah, will you come back?"

I looked at Harriet, the student who asked this last question. The others had already turned back to school, but she lingered, waiting for an answer. I felt a lump develop in my throat. There we stood, at a crossroads. Her life will always be in and around Kyabirwa. Mine heads in a different direction, and it honestly may never take me back there. But as I looked into her expectant eyes, I gave her the best answer I could.

"I will try, Harriet. I will try."
"Will you forget us?" This was almost too much to bear.

"No, I promise. I won't forget you, Harriet. I can't."

"Okay... Farewell, Madam. Safe journey."

As we held hands in the traditional Lusoga manner of greeting and parting, I fought back tears of guilt. Even today, two days later, the lump still lingers in my throat. I still don't know how I will ease it away. I do know, though, that keeping my promise to come back will have to be part of it.