The Re-entry Begins

I write this from the international airport terminal in Johannesburg, South Africa.  We've left Zimbabwe and are now waiting for our flight back to the States (by way of Senegal).  For those keeping track -- Johannesburg, Dakar, Washington, DC, Nashville and then Chicago.  A nice surprise is that my parents have decided to drive to chi-town to pick me up at the airport and hear about the trip! 

It's nice to have strong wi-fi again since it was not working at the Holiday Inn in Harare.  Another sign that we are re-entering another world. 

It's quite odd.  I find myself sitting here with so many thoughts running through my head.  The faces of people I met.  Images of the beautiful scenery.  The sounds of new languages.  Laughter. Tears.  Anger.  Sadness.  Joy.  Hope. 

Thoughts, emotions, prayers. 

But too few words...

The pain of re-entry. 

How to hold on to all I've seen & experienced?  How to convey it all to those who greet my re-entry?

As we return to a land of plenty (excess?), may I -- may we -- never forget.