Abkhazian Finale

I am home now, arriving several weeks ago. I completed my final debriefing with Paris, via phone, today and so I am really finished.
And it is good.
The two-legged and four-legged all-male-occupied home, decorated with dust and grime patiently awaiting my return, was good. What else does a time zone challenged woman do at 2 am as she re-adjusts to Mountain Standard Time, but tend to neglected dust bunnies, dog hairs, and strange unidentified smelly things? (With gratitude, I acknowledge the carpets were cleaned the day I arrived. I will never have to know what they were like the day before I arrived.)

I will finish the Abkhazian Adventures blog even though I have mixed feelings about doing so. There are many stories I have not yet told: Eno (hemiplegic stroke patient with a horrific leg wound) has returned home without a leg, but with a life. After the successful amputation we bought her a wheelchair. Her grandson who takes care of her is learning how to use it. The Health Access Program which was planned for closure will continue. I am proud of the work done and thankful for the chance to have done it.

The Abkhazian Adventure was a chance for me to explore many emotions that surfaced over the six months. It was like a good therapist, assisting me to know what I already know, to accept what is true while grappling with the demons and disconnects of life. Meanwhile I got to explore an external world equally confounding and rich.

The departure “goodbyes” with tender moments between me and my Abkhazian friends, with all of their kindness and curiosities, felt good. I did not get to say goodbye to all the patients that have challenged and changed me. I don’t regret that because we are left instead with the simple memories created during a normal days work, not exaggerated farewells of “it has been so wonderful to know you”, “you are so special.”

I have the best of what I could have hoped for from this experience. Love.

I like this quote from a book I am reading, Water Marked by Helen E.Lee,
“Love is the one thing you can multiply by dividing”.


We all know about wine reviews and restaurant reviews …..“rich, complex, blended with irresistible character”, “the long finish a pleasure of its own“ and “this place has the essence of a dusty Mediterranean villa”.

I suppose wine and restaurant reviews are attempts to describe something good, documented so others may enjoy. These Abkhazian “reviews” have been my attempt to share some brief moments of confounding, contradictory, extraordinary moments so you could enjoy. I am thankful for all of you and your interest in my journey.

On my final drive from Sukhumi to Tbilisi, as I drove passed the Black Sea, I was sad and happy. I watched horses rolling in green, green grass, children splashing in mountain streams, grapes vines metastasizing everywhere, ready for harvest soon. I enjoyed the familiar acne-pocked landscape that challenged me to see beyond the surface, to discover the real truth of the land and its strong, independent, beautiful people.

I am left with emotions simmering into a rich,delectable sauce.

I came home early to be with our family to focus on another journey as Ballard’s mom finishes out her long, lovely life. It is time to listen to her stories, and focus my energies on today.
I look forward to face-to-face smiles, chest-to-chest hugs with each of you, before I head out for another adventure. (We have plenty of time, no imminent departures, I will replenish the bank account with paid work for a while, then head out for another adventure.)

I will put pictures together and post them in a few weeks and when I do I will leave a final, final message on this blog……so bye for now and thanks for your support and love.

Genie