Arandis, Namibia: 2007-04-22

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

25 April - Update on Maderyna

25 April 2007

Rather than enter a new post, I thought I would simply add to this one.

I just got off the telephone with Sylvia. Although Maderyna was scheduled for her c-section today, as a precautionary measure the doctors took another ultrasound first and decided it was too early as she is only 35 weeks along. So they have reschedule it for May 8th. She will be released from the hospital tomorrow.

Also for those, like me, who may have been concerned with the reasons why the decision to perform a c-section were made, Sylvia confirmed that there were no health or medical related issues; that at her young age, it was being done as a precautionary measure and to make things less harder and painful for her.

I will keep you posted as I learn more.

24 April 2007

I just received an email from Cath-lo, Sylvia's daughter, who tells me that Maderyna will be having a cesarian-section on Thursday. Please keep her in your prayers.

Cath-lo also wanted me to say "Hello" to all of her friends here in New Hampshire. As some of you may know, she will be leaving for Germany soon to spend some time there.

posted by Don @ 9:33 AM 1 comments

Monday, April 23, 2007

What You Will Not See in Arandis

23 April 2007

The ice cream truck! The ice cream truck!

You remember shouting these words as a child, don't you? As I was having dinner tonight, I heard the unmistakable (and most repetitative) tune of the local ice cream truck beginning to make its way through the neighborhood for the first time this year. And, after all these years of hearing it, tonight as I sat and listened to it, only one thought came to mind, oh how I wish I could drive through Arandis with that same little truck.

All I can do is smile as I imagine the look upon the children's faces...and so many children! And, I think this is one of those scenes where you really need to have walked those same streets to truly understand, or picture the scene of an ice cream truck driving around the streets of Arandis. It would be so out of the ordinary. In thinking about it, even some of the poor neighborhoods here still get to see the ice cream man come by. But not there.

Remember, as children, how excited we were to first hear this thing on another street and then finally have it come down our street? We would all run to our respective houses, unless of course we were lucky enough to have the change in our pockets already, to buy our favorite treat. Mine was the orange sherbert rocket thing, the cylindrical tube with that push up stick and the surprise plastic figure hidden beneath the ice cream.

Now, what a contrast. Typically towards the middle to end of the summer, I'll admit that at some times, I have become easily annoyed with hearing the music coming from that truck. Perhaps it's because I don't run out anymore, nor are my children around to do the same. It's lost its magic. Maybe this year my attitude will be different. Maybe, each time I hear the ice cream truck, I'll remember the children in Arandis who will likely never get to experience the excitement of having the ice cream man come around, let alone having the money to purchase an ice cream.

Once again, it is just something among the many things that realize I take for granted; something as simple as buying an ice cream from the ice cream truck.

Maybe, like tonight, hearing that repetitive tune will put a smile on my face as I close my eyes and drive through Arandis handing out ice cream to everyone.

posted by Don @ 10:07 PM 0 comments

About Me

Name:Don (& Chandre)
Home:Nashua, NH (Arandis, Namibia)