Spiraling Through Sunday

This morning, I was waiting for a ride (since I am in the US and don't have my own vehicle, but that's another story) to take me to church. The time had been set for pick-up at 8:30, but there was no "hooting" of a horn, no ringing of the doorbell. I was apprehensive. I don't know the driver well. I was wondering, "Is this person dependable? Do I need to call my contact at the church and explain?" Many questions rolled through my thoughts. In the process of waiting, I began to straighten my room. I sorted receipts, put shoes and clothing away, threw away trash and WAITED. Waited. Finally, I called the cell phone number I had been given. No answer. Oh. Now, there's a problem. Has there perhaps been an accident? Is this person really coming to pick me up?
The room was all arranged, as it should be. Half an hour late. I called the cell phone again. Still no answer. I'm really concerned. Where is this person?
At 9:05, I heard a car pull up by the mailbox outside. My new friend jumped out, rang the doorbell. I grabbed my bag and ran out the door.

You know, sometimes, things are not like we think they are. It turned out that the problem of her lateness rested squarely on my shoulders. I had given her an incorrect house number. She had been driving around the block, knocking on doors, asking for me, for the entire time I had been waiting.

Can I learn anything from this experience? I don't want to learn anything today. Well, yes. I can learn this: Sometimes while we are just about fuming, or we are worried sick about some situation, we need to stop and think. It's not always like it seems. Sometimes, the frustrations in our lives are a result of our own error.

I'm sorry, dear new friend. I accept my responsibility for the fact that you drove around in a looping spiral this morning. And thanks for continuing to search until you found me. But wait. Why didn't you answer the cell phone?

What? You locked it inside your friend's apartment, didn't have a key to get back in? Oh. Well, then, sometimes things just aren't what we think they are.

Stuck in a Closed Spiral

I've escaped . . .
For more than a year, I haven't been here to write. Last night, the decision was made: Get back to blogging, to writing, to creative and critical thinking. So, here I am.

I've been working diligently in Africa since November 2008. Yes, the internet connection there in Kenya is slow. Yes, I am often exhausted. Yes, to all your questions. However, there is no REASON for my not having written. I just stopped writing.

Recently, my computer has been near-fatally ill. Since I am technology-dependent, I suffered withdrawal. Typing on strange keyboards in Cyber-Cafes wasn't fulfilling. Clicking, pushing, flipping an external mouse belonging to some other writer creeped me out. When my grandson restored my wireless ability yesterday, excitement - adrenaline - rushed through my body.

MY OWN COMPUTER, yippee, can now take me surfing. I can use GoogleEarth and follow footsteps: my own, and YOURS, too, if you tell me where you've been. I can read email in less than a minute. I can post on Facebook and CHAT!!!!

The urge to post a blog entry overcame me this morning. I traced the forgotten password and my tingling fingertips began to dance.

Hoorah!!! I've escaped from my closed spiral! Watch me dance!!!!