“Small World” doesn’t begin to describe…

I decided that I didn’t have enough on my plate in preparation for Kenya…my reading load, my website, my meetings, my writings, my immunizations, my travel plans, my non-profit…still left me with seven hours of peaceful slumber each night.  I knew I could do more.  So I did what any self-respecting, over-ambitious perfectionist would do in a similar circumstance: I began to study Swahili.

As with all Laura Lee-related pursuits, there is a story behind the Swahili lessons.  I did a Google search, “Swahili lessons Atlanta.”  I found a post, I emailed the teacher and briefly described my project.  In his response, I noticed that his middle name was “Murithi,” also the name of The General’s youngest son.  I thought it likely he was from the same tribe, the Meru tribe. 

I responded many days later, saying that I was interested in meeting with him and sent him a link to this website.  Two hours later, I received the following email (they call me “Nkirote”):

Nkirote;

I am happy to hear from you after some time. I am even happier to learn you got a name from my community- I am born and raised on the eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya. More so I visited your website and apparently I know the “General”. Mr Nkungi is a great friend of my dad and he stayed with us here in Atlanta when he last visited the US. I can assure you that he will be a great source of historical information. I will send you some pictures I took with him.

My dad is currently in Kenya and if you ever needed any help that end; he can be of help. Similarly, my wife is a college tutor and would assist as necessary.

There seems to be a cosmic force pushing me to do this work (“pushing” is not the right word…perhaps “gently nudging,” is better, which I joyfully absorb).  A lot of people will say they don’t believe in coincidences.  I’ve always rolled my eyes and thought, “Sure, right, it’s all part of ‘the plan.’  Aren’t you late to yoga class, weirdo?”  But I think I’m starting to eat my words (how intellectual they taste!).  And I just went to a yoga class yesterday.  My world is really changing…

More news soon – LL