We Can’t All Go to Angola

I once had a college professor who, perhaps in reaction to a student who was clearly unprepared for class, leaned back in his chair and mused that he’d always yearned for the opportunity to teach a course called, “Great Books I’ve Never Read.”

This is close to the way I feel about my husband’s almost-over trip to Angola. Some months ago, when this was on the horizon, we both thought it might be possible for me to accompany him on this journey— which would be the first time either one of us would set foot on the continent of Africa. One of our kids had lived in Cameroon – three times back and forth – and another had spent part of a semester in South Africa. We weren’t getting younger, that much was clear.

But the joint version of the trip would not come to pass; high school teachers don’t get time off in early December. And full-time dog sitters are not exactly plentiful in these parts, either.  I had already not gotten to go to Minneapolis in September; this was shaping up to be Round Two (OK, maybe we’re now to more, if you count the big “all in” meeting up in Fairbanks, Alaska; and maybe the one in Taiwan before that, but wait, even Rob didn’t go there) of “the bishop’s wife stays home” show.  So, having been issued an invitation to attend the festive inauguration of a new diocese in the capital city, thanks to a previous relationship forged with a New Hampshire church, off Rob went on the day after Thanksgiving, along with his colleague Gail, who had made a previous trip there.

Our kids stuck around for a couple of days – that was nice. Then I settled into my solitary existence, along with my dog of course. Getting not one but two whopping snow days was an amazing gift. No need to head down the highway at 6:15 a.m! Time for walks in the sunshine and  to grade papers. Not one moment of boredom did I experience; I even appreciated having a few minutes to Google “When one spouse travels” and found this lovely paragraph in (now quite dated) article from a Pittsburgh newspaper: https://www.postgazette.com/life/travel/2006/07/24/How-traveling-alone-can-affect-a-marriage/stories/200607240125.

“While travelers’ experiences are well-documented, little attention has been paid to the experience of the partners left behind — or the impact on their relationships. The life of the left-behind spouse is a checkered affair, ranging from resentment and bouts with workaholism, to rediscovery of the joy of solitude.”

I just love that…’a checkered affair.’ Sounds kind of racy, doesn’t it? Or at least not bland. I can honestly say I haven’t experienced either resentment or workaholism, but the joy of solitude? Most definitely, yes.

And I’m also grateful to my spouse for providing, via text message, a whole bunch of fine photos that can make my task here – finishing a blog—considerably easier. You won’t mind, will you? I’ll mix it up a bit, too. Here goes.

His first look at the city of Luanda…with huge disparities between rich and poor.

And here are a few of his African bishop colleagues — I have no names — following the FIVE HOUR (I would have had a little trouble with that part, but meeting these gentlemen would have been lovely) service to inaugurate the new Diocese of Angola.

The next day, according to Rob’s schedule, there was a panel discussion about strategies for addressing HIV and malaria. At about this same time, here’s how it looked in our back field:

Continuing on with his trip…I think he went first to Windhoek, Namibia (where our son Willie had already been, about five years ago) and relayed how they were getting first rains after a long drought. Then a flight to Zimbabwe.

Then a meeting, apparently, with a fine-looking family. Oh wait, I think this is in Namibia actually. You’ll forgive me.. I was pretty busy doing five classes on these days.

I look forward to hearing about each of these individuals and their home.

And then, somewhere nearby maybe, after a tour of some clinics I think, someone snapped a picture of Rob giving two sweet kids a high five. Fabulous, huh?

Back in New Hampshire, this was going on, after school….also lovely in its own way.

From Zimbabwe, upbeat messages kept coming (saw them when I turned on my phone during slim breaks) through my Block 1 Honors Am Lit class, Block 3 College Prep American Lit, Block 4 Contemporary Issues — you get the idea.

Then, on Saturday morning, one of the Wonders of the World appeared on my phone: Victoria Falls.

Oh my. I couldn’t deny that being right there with him at that moment would have been spectacular. But getting the photo was pretty great in itself, too. I’m not even including here the ones that have just come in — of the service this morning where he delivered the sermon. In fact, when he returns, I’ll make sure we take the time to sit and talk about each and every part of the trip. Maybe that will happen in slices. Yes, it most certainly will.

I seem to recall saying a similar thing about his last trip…and that was merely a domestic one.

And then of course there will be details — less fascinating, perhaps to convey but still real– about the 10 days I’ve spent in his absence. He’ll be eager to hear, for instance, about the student who came up to me at 7:00 a.m. one morning, when I was on my way to the classroom, to apologize for not being attentive recently and to thank me for what I’d been teaching. Actually THANK ME! And then let’s not forget about the other student who has not yet seen the light about being polite to people, most especially teachers.

Speaking of lights, I sure am glad Rob is coming home because we really need to get the Christmas ones up. All our neighbors places are twinkling away already. But the trip he has had! I already know that it has provided the kind of interior illumination that rays outwardly, and I’ll be about the first one to absorb the glow.