father and son

Mar 15, 2006 00:58

So my cousin Chris called last night. I was expecting the normal “hey, when is blahblah’s birthday?, I am going to come and visit…..” or “hey, I am in the area and just wanted to stop by and see you guys…..” but instead it was a phone call saying bye since he is leaving because he joined the peace corp. He is leaving for Senegal Africa early Wednesday morning and will be there for the next 3 years. There will be no running water, no electricity- nothing. They are completely cut off from the rest of the modern world, live in little shacks in 120 degree heat, wash their clothes in the local river, and help people who live in complete poverty. Forty-five percent of the peace corp. volunteers who go into this region of Africa become suicidal during their stay. It kind of got to me (and him) when he said, “well,…. have a good 3 years…”. What do you say? Chris is going to miss 3 years of his family's life and will come back a different person. Chris might never come back. It was a shocking reminder that remembering the good times in life, especially the ones with family, is so important. Chris might never even make it to the airport, someone in my family might not wake up tomorrow and suddenly I will desperately want to go back to the time of all those memories.

http://images.biafranigeriaworld.com/BNW-vulture-waits-for-child-to-die.jpg
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