In My Grandmother's Trunk

Well, loyal readers…I’m finally back in Ghana. I got here yesterday after staying an extra 10 days to help see my Dad through colon cancer surgery. Dad was diagnosed with early stage colon cancer right before Xmas. The surgery went well, he is recovering at Lankenau Hospital in Phila. and will be released tomorrow. For those of you who don’t know my father, he is an amazing man-about 8 hours after the 5 hour surgery he was walking up and down the hospital corridors. Love ya Dad!

Do you remember the game “In my grandmother’s trunk”? (In my grandmother’s trunk I found 1 apple, In my grandmothers trunk I found 1 apple, and 2 spiders,…)

Well as I checked in my FOUR bags at Dulles, I smiled to myself that my contents would make a great game. I brought back everything from more school supplies, to diabetes supplies (My expat, NJ born now- living- in- Tema- for- the- past- 5- years, friend Barb has an 8 year old with newly diagnosed diabetes and offers hard to get supplies to Drs in the area). I also had many modest requests from teachers ( a pair of sandals, deodorant, a Yoga tape, t-shirts, perfume, Skittles…) My refrigerator repairman even wanted me to bring back a Ford car part which he gave me a serial number for –needless to say I didn’t follow through on that one- I had no idea how to get the part, wasn’t willing to pay for it, and my refrigerator was never really fixed anyway! Even with the 4 suitcases I still had to mail 2 boxes to myself!

OK Let’s play:
In my grandmother’s trunk I found:
700 glucose strips,1200 pen needles (for insulin pens),240 AAA batteries,40 Obama pins,2 LCD projectors,60 Granola bars,9 staplers (thanks Jerry),120 baggies,16 small bottles of perfume,60 pencil sharpeners,75 erasers,6 hand sanitizers,1 book on cake decoration,30 flash drives,1 Eagles cap :(,20 soccer uniforms (thanks Diana),1 label maker(Thanks Lisa),20 coloring books(thanks Dad and Mittie),.......and that's just a taste!

I have received a very warm welcome back from teachers and students. It was hard to leave the US after a month. It was so nice to see family and friends and hear all of your words of encouragement. It was also nice to see that my house hadn't burned down. As I settle back in, I know I have many more great experiences in the months to come.

P.S.
Sad news: goats and most chickens are gone. Headmistress cracked down on livestock and poultry on school grounds…BOO!...it’s soooo quiet! (Heard my rooster though, he must have sneaked in to wake me up!)