Veronica…

We met a woman who has such amazing warmth, that being in her presence feels like coming home. Veronica is an elder from Swaziland that works for the family whose house we were staying in. She speaks many languages and took the time each day to teach Marcus elementary Zulu. Among her cadre of languages are, Swazi, Zulu, Xhosa, English, Afrikaans, and at one time Italian, Greek, and French. She lost much of the European languages because she had no one to converse with. I look at her and think in another life she would be an amazing asset to the UN.

She understands people, and has a spirit that draws you in and wraps around like a blanket. She is the consummate grandmother and adopted Marcus and I as her own. I got very sick the first night in Johannesburg and spent the first two days in bed. During that time she encouraged me to rest and Marcus spent his time in the kitchen with Veronica, soaking up as much from her as he could.

Before we left Johannesburg she spoke to us and encouraged us to remember that we are committed to each other for life. “He is yours forever. She is yours forever. Don’t forget this yours until God carries both of you home. Together.” We hugged for a very long time. The kind of hug that feels like you are releasing your burdens and being filled simultaneously.

It was hard to let go. It was hard to say good-bye.