Sometimes I want to fly away.

fly away, real life moments, raising boys, long miles coffee project

hasselblad 501 C, boy at window, long miles coffee project

It’s true. I sometimes wish there was an open window and I could just fly myself “home” to the people who have loved me from birth and the places that I have seen forever. This week has been hard for me. The “toughness” of life in Africa has seeped into my being and I have found myself wishing I could just fly away. Until you have lived it, you might never know what I mean. We all have our own challenges that are unique to us in this life, and I am not saying my life is more of a challenge than yours… but I am saying there is a difference between visiting a place like this and LIVING IN IT. If you are going through something tough this week HERE IS ME saying to you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I am journeying too. I’m having a “tough one” too and I appreciate your bravery and the decisions you are making to pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

I sometimes go running on the streets of Bujumbura. I’m a “gym” or “health club” (or whatever you call it in the US of A) girl at heart, but sometimes the road calls and I just have to get on it. Often, as I run, Burundians will shout out, “COURAGE! COURAGE!” I love that in both French and English this word is the same. This week, via Brene Brown’s beautiful book The Gifts of Imperfection, I learned that…

“The root of the word courage is cor- the Latin word for heart. In one of it’s earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant, “To speak one’s mind by telling one’s heart.”

Now when people shout, “Courage!” at me I can’t help but think, “Thank you. I need it… but not for this run.” I need courage to tell my story even when it hits bumpy parts. Courage to continue on. Courage to stay firmly on the ground for the time being.

Love,

images DSLR and Hasselblad 501C

by longmilescoffee

11 comments

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longmilescoffee - @Amy YOU are an unbelievable encouragement. Thank you, especially for the pom-poms. I love pom-poms!

Amy Paulson - You raw honesty – well…it ruptures hearts and helps God pour into them. Thank you for doing that in my life through your blog. May you be FILLED with courage. I cannot imagine your daily reality, but know that a even a continent away, God is using you. And you have people you’ve never met CHEERING you on. (Complete with cartwheels and pom-poms whenever possible)

Kristi Culver - So glad you had the courage to write that….it is so refreshing when people are so real and honest. Praying a blessing for you and your family so far away today.

Karishma - You have an amazing ability with words! And thanks, really needed to read this

Cassie - Perfect! We are living in Nicaragua and I can identify with every word that you wrote. Thanks!

One another note…when I run on the streets here in Managua (and yes, I sooo miss my gym) I recieve lovely comments like “I love you,” “I want to marry you” and “Your sexy.” Courage sounds much better!

Lori hansen - Wow!!

Amy - Beautiful images. The black and white conversion is gorgy!

Becky Woodhull - Thanks! I needed to read that! You are a beautiful writer…

Katie - Beautiful images, beautiful words! What an amazing adventure your family is on. Thanks for sharing!

Caitlin - Thank you for your honesty. I am at home, surrounded by the people I grew up with and love and sometimes I wish to “fly away” to have an adventure, but I feel a little stuck sometimes. Here’s to your adventurous endeavor, even when the going gets rough!