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Renée Eli's avatar

Congratulations on your marathon, Mmerikani, and sending wishes for a swift recovery. This quote is apt for this present moment. Thank you.

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Mmerikani (Swahili & English)'s avatar

Thank you @Renée Eli! I was stiff the next days, but nothing broken or injured, and we shall take that as a win! Lol. While we drove down here to the southern U.S. for the marathon, I saw a few campers on the road and thought of your super cool road trip in your Petunia. How is she doing?

Somewhat related to travel one day, I am taking a teaching ESL class and we just read a chapter on Polynesia and how the historical linguists reconstruct ideas on how the MANY languages of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia hopped from island to island. The isolated nature and distance between the islands are a theoried factor in how the languages adapted over time, moving towards Hawaii and New Zealand. I thought of you (the island hopping and people traveling) and I would adore be able to see some of those islands and people one day, if they would have me. Apparently, so many languages in Polynesia—also with First People languages across the Americas—have yet to be memorialized! They are spoken only by the elders and not so many elders are remaining….

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Renée Eli's avatar

Mmerikani, I missed this Note! I’m so glad to find it today. A win, indeed, and you were in my neck of the woods for this great feat! I hope the stiffness quickly relaxed and that you are doing well. As I read your wonder about the MANY languages of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, and island hopping, the book, The Wayfinders, immediately came to mind. It may be of interest to you: https://daviswade.com/book-the-wayfinders

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Mmerikani (Swahili & English)'s avatar

Oh Renee, that Wayfinders book by David Wade is enticing! Thank you for this exacting recommendation. You are so thoughtful! I may have just ordered that book. :)

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Renée Eli's avatar

Fantastic! He writes about the stunning rate of loss of languages. . . .

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Emma Lewis's avatar

Hope you had a good run! That’s a marvelous quote.

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Mmerikani (Swahili & English)'s avatar

Thank you, Emma. It is one of my favorites because it effectively returns me to a more compassionate state. :) My run went well! I somehow squeezed in under 5 hours which was one of my main goals. Incredible how that effort is only possible with others: the volunteers. I so greatly appreciate that orchestra of coordinated activity. Go humans! :)

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Emma Lewis's avatar

Well done! I can’t imagine running a marathon. It must be rather satisfying to complete. I have saved the quote so that I can refer to it from time to time, like you.

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Mmerikani (Swahili & English)'s avatar

Thank you @Emma Lewis! It was neat to see how we can stretch our minds and our bodies will follow—albeit, slowly, but the body did follow! Lol. I also appreciate how me being able to do that was only because others helped to create those special conditions: the volunteers who managed the course, the young people (some looked 5 or 6 years old—adorable!) who helped to provide water along the way, the police officers who stopped traffic, the patient drivers who stopped to let these nutty people run, the city who granted the permit. All of it really inspires me, Emma, to see how we humans can do big things when we come together. :) Have a wonderful, Petchary Day!

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Emma Lewis's avatar

Thank you so much! Your description captures the magic of a marathon, and being embraced by the community. Congratulations again!

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Louise Haynes's avatar

Thank you, Mmerikani. I needed to see this.

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Louise Haynes's avatar

I hope the marathon went well!

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Mmerikani (Swahili & English)'s avatar

I am so glad you like it, @LouiseHaynes! I may need to make this a daily read for myself during difficult times. :)

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