Tag Archives: friends

prodigal child

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Linnea Ashley

Growing up I never understood the story of the prodigal son. I mean, I knew the story, but I always identified more with the son who never strayed. Far from the perfect child, i was – however – the contrast … Continue reading →

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my best friend’s back

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Linnea Ashley

Some people, more than place, are home. The smell of them. The slight laugh, a truncated chuckle with some irony thrown in. the feel and look of them – even though time adds pounds and grays hair. The voice reverberating … Continue reading →

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holiday of faith

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

I felt the bump. Once. Twice. Maybe three times. I even looked around, irritated and my mind vaguely thinking about someone trying to pick my pocket. But downtown Kampala at dusk, sticking close to my BLB (big little brother) and … Continue reading →

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ICU revisited

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

The air is thick with the ash of trash fires and old engine emissions. It is like breathing gravy and my lungs stretch themselves to capacity to keep me conscious. Walking up the hill to mulago hospital’s other entrance, because … Continue reading →

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extortion

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

It is extortion. Beyond amoral, it is cruel. It is inhuman…not inhumane but actually absent of all humanity. The hospital TeaQueen took our friend to on Monday was holding him hostage with an ever rising ransom disguised as a hospital … Continue reading →

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the body of an accident

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

They were staring. Crowding and staring. When J was finally able to move from where he stood vigil over his cousin’s body, his view obstructed by a set of swinging doors and multiple rows of beds with people languishing in … Continue reading →

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packages of care

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

I was returned to my college days, my peace corps ones. returned to the joy that a tiny slip of paper in my mailbox can conjure. Yesterday I got a package from my parents. And the timing couldn’t have been … Continue reading →

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no beauty lost peace

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

Kampala, Uganda October 7, 2010 “I haven’t even been proposed to here, I think I’m insulted.” I was half joking but in retrospect I can hear how it must have sounded. No knowledge of my constant proposals in South Africa, … Continue reading →

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missing shoes

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

I wanted it to be worthy of him. As if anything would have been worthy of him. As if anything could say to the world, this was my friend. Magnificent. Brilliant. Generous. I wanted it to be worthy of him … Continue reading →

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ICU lament

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

She lay there. Still. Mechanical breath raising and lowering her chest with a slight pause – a stutter in the system. The monitors flashed green and red, moaned indecipherably, whirs and screeches that – unmet by rushing attendants – were … Continue reading →

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