The mud didn't crunch like snow under-foot,Hey, I need some comments, readers! Are you out there? I'm like Santa Clause's sled, which can only run if there's sufficient Christmas spirit (if you've seen Elf), or like a battery-operated boombox-- that's out of batteries. You are my spirit and my batteries. There have been like five posts without a single word from you guys. Only echoes of my own absurdities coming back to me from the Digital Void. Disagree with me! Critique me! Encourage/discourage me! Say hello! Maybe the blog has been too unpredictable and too infrequent. Maybe there have been too many casualties along the way, and now it's just me and this keyboard.
Flies didn't melt like ice on my tongue,
They just whirred around, mating,
Like the universe was done.
On Christmas in Kalemie, the coal train still runs.
Mamas at the tracks still nursing their young;
Goats naying jolly cries under the night,
Bodies in darkness are tucked out of sight.
The moon shines a preying glare
On the grand multitude of naysayers,
Who creep round the Earth, under cold street-lamp lights
And sleep alone, in the Holy Night.
That lonely poem followed by the cry for contact was merely coincedence. I'm not suffering, here, beyond anything usual. Just wanting to know that I'm communicating with people, I guess. Also, if you're reading this blog and have gone, thus far, unannounced-- don't be bashful. Let me know you've stopped by. I would love to know who all is reading.
I finally made tortillas last night, and they were pretty good. We watched The Count Of Monte Cristo and I admitted to Keith that I don't know how to eat Skittles in moderation.
Liam called me, out of the blue, this morning! Thanks for making my day special, man!
Thanks for reading!
If you have questions, e-mail me at nathandbrien@gmail.com.
5 comments:
Hey son... well, getting a 'mandatory comment' from your Dad isn't likely what you've been waiting for. You know that Mom, Em & I always read your posts - but the 'family forum' is more typically taken up on Skype, so we don't repeat ourselves much here.
Just as you're observing your most unique Christmas ever this year, so are we. It's our first 'sans Nathan' - sometimes Skype or this blog make it feel like you're here - but knowing you're not, and thinking about that day in a few weeks when, for the first time in 19 years you won't be with us as we gather around the tree in the living room, makes me sad. Then it makes me happy.
What experiences you're having! What a range of experiences you're having!! I'm thankful for the wonderful & tough times you've had. I've spent your whole life attempting to protect you from tough times - but increasingly see that these are often the very things that build character in a man, things that only 'good times' cannot produce. (I know, it's a bit bold to claim we've only had 'good times', eh?)
Anyway, you know how much we love you; how proud we are of you; and how excited we are with you for the focused input you're going to have on the lives of many, many young Congolese as you have the chance to help them grow their English capacity. You rock!
Well, how do I follow a comment like that???
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the tidbits of your brain- the scattered wanderings, the deep (and sometimes dark) moments of loneliness or helplessness. Not because I want you to experience those, but I am glad you are free enough to be real and true. We pray for a silent night for you- you don't need a break from the hustle and bustle and chaotic commercialism, but rather a powerful, magical wonderment of things out of human control and in the hands of an unpredictable (yet totally responsible) God.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us as we can glimpse a bit of the journey with you.
Love you.
Nathan, I'm leaving a comment to show you that I read your posts everyday...sorry about the Malaria, but when in Rome, what else can you do, right?
Keep writing...keep questioning...keep exploring!!!
Love you guys. Thanks for the comments and for your continuous support.
"I tantilized myself with the possibility of simply jumping headlong into the experience and running back for that class in an hour."
Wow Nathan, I'm jealous of all you're experiencing. I hardly recognize your voice and attribute that to the long strides of experience you've embraced in your remarkable journey. Your entry helped recall the enthusiasm and sheer vigor I had when I first started teaching on the Navajo reservation and city schools of Chicago. I certainly applaud your efforts and look forward to reading more. Interestingly enough I started rereading _Poisonwood Bible_ this past week and each page can't help but make me think about all you must be discovering each new day! Cheers and bravo!
Mr. Hire
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