Answer me this...
After three years away, it is the weirdest thing to come back to Trinidad and see reflected in someone else's face features that I know are also on mine. I look at my sisters and there's no question that we are related. We don't look alike in general, but there are two features that are common and in fact accented on our faces... one feature was handed down from our mom's side of the family, and the other from our dad's. It's like having a family trademark... and it's cool.My friends think I have an American accent now. My sisters sound like islanders to me. My dad is as Nigerian-sounding as ever.
Riding past the places where I used to walk to and from high school, I feel a sense of comfort and familiarity. In the kitchen of my dad's new home, Nigerian cooking skills I have not used in quite a while come back to me in a flash as I prepare dinner. I marvel as my dad tells me the story of how our native town was founded and how our family came to be, and I reminisce with great fondness about my hometown as my sister shows me some of the items she brought back from Nigeria last summer. I show them photos of my apartment, office, the friends I have made during my time in the US. I tell them about the life that I lead in Georgia, the things I am learning, the places I have been... and the places I still want to go.
I have my mother's cheeks and my dad's smile. The traditions of Nigeria are my solid backdrop, the variety of Trinidad my vivid stage props, and the lifestyle opportunities of the US my glittering costume.
In each of the three countries, I can rest my head, close my eyes, and stay awhile... before I once again get up and leave... and it seems I must get up and leave where others can stay.
Am I a girl without a land?
Who am I?
posted by Handmaiden @ 4:38 pm
2 Comments:
No, you are not a girl without a land. You have an inheritance so much deeper than any place you have stayed on this earth. No matter what you have called "home" here, you have a Daddy who awaits you and room prepared for you. You have a seat at the dinner table with your name on it. You have a hand to hold and a Friend to love. You have a wedding day and soon you will have a permanent place to stay. You will inherit a land that has all you need because your Messiah will be there longing for you...longing to show you the things incomprehendable. I love you Ada!! :)
you're so lucky that you can go and do whatever you want. you have such a heart after god that wherever he calls you and i both know you will follow. everyone knows they could never stand in your way. even satan. what power. what glory. praise jesus for women like you ada! god has something tremendous up his sleeve so that when you are finally swept away millions will have been changed because of your faithfulness and the word of your testamony!!
this is just all so good i keep commenting on all of your blogs! it's been a while since i've read them! you're sweet ada! it's good to see what your heart beats for.
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