On Enough

Today in class, the word “enough” came up in a reading. One of my students asked me to explain what it meant - and I struggled a little bit. I couldn’t really think of a definition off the top of my head so I went with “it’s like when you’re eating lunch and you’re full so you say you’ve had enough. Like you have more than you need.” Then later when we were eating lunch, one of my students asked if I wanted more beef and rice once I had finished my plate. I responded with “No, I’m good, thanks!” And he said “Ah, it’s enough.” It was one of those awesome teaching moments where I was excited that a student had remembered and applied a target word. But it also got me thinking about the meaning of the word “enough” and how it has manifested during my time in Madagascar. 

The week leading up to leaving for Chicago and then Madagascar was an absolute mess. Packing was honestly a nightmare. I had made a million lists and spent pretty much every waking second going over possible items I would need over the course of the year. I practically drove myself crazy making sure I had every little thing. And now that I’m here, it’s overwhelmingly apparent how unnecessary all of that worrying was. I cycle through the same 2-3 skirts and v-necks. When I’m hanging out in my apartment, I’m wearing one of the three Carolina shirts I brought and my favorite pair of shorts. I shower about once a week - and I’m still on the same bottle of conditioner that I was using when I first got here. I have learned just how little I need. I’ve learned what’s enough.

But it’s not just physical. I’ve also found a friend named Sariaka who remembers to ask me a week later if my team won after I talked to her about being sad about missing the UNC vs Duke basketball game. I have a community of students at the hospital who I not only get to teach but also sit down and share a meal with. I have a host family who invite me over every Sunday night for food, guitar playing, and singing AND who knock on my door and bring me pizza the one night they couldn’t make it. I have a Norwegian friend named Solveig who invites me over for copious amounts of tea, homemade pizza, and English church on the days I need it most. I have fresh fruits and vegetables from the market. I have workout videos and floor exercises. And I have friends and family back home and abroad who have stayed in touch and been relentlessly supportive through it all. 

This experience has been challenging and lonely at times. But it’s also been eye-opening, and lovely, and fun. I was playing a game with three of my teenage students this afternoon and it was their turn to choose a word for me. Out of nowhere they all just started laughing so hard. I still have no idea why they were laughing - but their joy radiated. I couldn’t help but laugh along with them. And in that moment, I felt truly blessed to be right where I was - playing games and laughing on a sunny Wednesday afternoon in the small town of Ambohibao. My time in Madagascar has been far from perfect, but it has undoubtably been enough. 

My Teenage Students at ILOFAV 

Sariaka and I eating ice cream to celebrate Valentine's Day

Solveig, Jacob, and Tiana