Inspiring Women Magazine May 2023

2. The move to Kenya, at 59 years old, was for
a one-year posting, but it is a hard country to
leave. Exploring Kenya and Africa has been
incredibly rewarding; it is an amazing vast
continent with wonderful people and we have
only scratched the surface. We have convinced
many friends in the US to make the long trip to
Africa. They never would have come if we were
not here to encourage them, and every single
one wants to return.
What goodbyes do you anticipate for you
in the next two years? How do you feel
about them?
It will be bittersweet leaving Kenya in the next
few years. New adventures await, but saying
goodbye to friends and life here will be difficult.
The expat life is always filled with hellos and
goodbyes, as we all know too well. At the last
American Women’s Association coffee I
attended, I learned a wonderful friend I had
just met at AWA a few months ago is already
leaving. Sad, but so happy I met her, and as she
said, “Now you have a friend in a new country to
come to visit!” Leaving my Kenyan friends will be
difficult but at least I know I can return and see
many friendly faces in one visit to Nairobi.
What new beginnings do you see for yourself
in the next two years? How do you feel
about these?
Who knows? Bring them on! The pandemic
was a reminder that things can change very
quickly. We should never assume anything is
permanent. Remember, our actions affect other
people and always live each day to the fullest!
Photos:
Southern Ground Hornbill eating a snake in
the Massai Mara, Kenya. (page 43, top)
Oxpecker looking for bugs. (page 43, bottom)
Sambura tribal women gather to sing at
sunset. (pages 44 and 45)
Lovely leopard posing in Botswana. (left)
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