SAM

Morning remains my favorite time of day. I still love the cool morning air. The sun peaking over the Burundi mountains behind our home. Setting out for a run before the rest of Burundi wakes up.

And I have a new reason to enjoy my morning runs— my new running buddy, Sam. I asked my parents to send out a leash so I could train our new puppy, Pippin, to run with me. However, we are discovering that while he is sweet, he is a bit retarded. Doesn’t know how to bark. Is afraid to leave the yard. And is generally very annoying.

Sam, however, remains the greatest of dogs. He is a beautiful golden retriever. A good guard dog. Smart and chill. And even though he is a few years old, I thought I would try him on a leash. Just to see if he could learn and would like it.

Sam absolutely LOVES it!! I’ve now walked him many afternoons and taken him on two morning runs. He now hears the clang of the leash and comes running to the front porch. So excited. Tail wagging enthusiastically.

We head out of the compound, and at first, he is a bit hard to control. Him running ahead of me and me tripping over him— he is just so excited; although we soon settle into a rhythm. Then, he trots nicely alongside me. He often looks up for approval, bumps into me when people call out to him, and pulls at the leash to go after a goat or bird. He is a wonderful running partner, and in him, I have a found a new buddy.

And him, in me. After a run or walk, he drinks his water, and then comes immediately to the front porch to hang out with me. He stands there, panting and almost grinning (if a dog can grin, this is it!), looking in the house through our screen door as though he wants me to come out and play some more.

It’s another one of the simple pleasures of my life here. A new thing that is bringing me joy. I recently read a book called The Geography of Bliss— a light but fascinating read that looked at different places around the world and elements within cultures that would make a person say that he/she is happy. While the author found some contradictions (like some of the reportedly happiest places on earth have the highest suicide rates and some poor countries whose people claim to be very happy) and was hesitant to make any sweeping statements about the nature of happiness (which I appreciated), he did conclude that a person’s happiness centers around the ability to meet basic needs, strong relationships, and the ability to trust others. Interesting, as these are elements lacking here… we see poverty— the most basic of needs not met for others every day. It’s often a lonely place for us as “muzungus”. Living in a culture where lack of trust in each other is endemic. Maybe that’s why Burundi is often categorized as one of the saddest places in the world to live.

When we moved to Burundi, Seth said he was taking the happiest girl in the world to live in one of the saddest places on earth. While I’m not sure about that, I do recognize and am so grateful for the gifts of the small pleasures here that sustain and bring joy to this “happy girl”— my faith, the support and prayers of friends and family back home, Seth, tennis, morning runs, and now in a new way, Sam.