Hugs from Latifa

I haven’t let the phrase, “Man, you’ve really gained,” get to me, because, hell, I’ve gained a lot of weight. It’s even a compliment here–a sign of success and happiness. And, I’m probably 40 lbs more than I was when I left here, and who’s not to recognize that? But, let’s say this much: I’m happy to have had the padding for the hug that Latifa had been storing up for me.The kind of put-one-leg-back-to-brace-for-impact or high-school-coach-holding-a-block-of-pads-for-defensive-lineman hug that would flatten a smaller man to the ground. With the longest squeeze, the one that makes you think she’s holding time still with the strength of her arms, as though your ribs were the hands of the clock, held firmly in place. Like, she’s been saving hugs for you every time she thought about you, she’s been putting them in her pocket and waiting to take them all out when she saw you next. For that embrace, I’m grateful for the extra pounds around my stomach.

Packs quite the hug

Latifa is one of the girls I sponsor in the FOCUS Child Project and she is a friend. We’ve exchanged letters and encouragement for the past three years as I’ve been her sponsor. And, she’s a joy. She is confident, like some unseen tap root is dropping through the red clay ever time she walks and crawling up her back like the trunk of a baobab tree. And, she’s funny. We rode today on the back of opposite motorcycles to her home, and she kept motioning for her driver to speed up and beat me to the house. And, every time she’d pass, she’d raise her eyebrows and laugh, as she looked over her shoulder, sometimes holding her tongue between her teeth–same as she’s doing in the picture I have on my laptop.

And, every time I’ve seen her so far, it makes being here even better, something I really didn’t think possible. But, every time she grabs my hand, when she paraded me by her P.6 class toting her Uncle behind her, when she pulls my hand tucked into hers across the front of her, I am so thankful to be back.  And, if the pictures would load, I’d show you, but instead, I’m just going to have to tell you this way and hope you’ve seen what I see. Because, I’m seeing it and feeling it right around my ribs.