Kindred Spirits

Kindred spirits are interesting things.  No two people are exactly the same, and that’s what makes humans a beautiful species.  But sometimes, you find a person who just “gets you.” I don't think I believe in a singular kindred spirit that exists in one other person, like a soul mate.  The idea of kindred spirits is more transient than that.  In any given moment, your "other half" could be that girl on the dance floor who you have a blast with, smiling and dancing in sync the whole night.  Could be that colleague who you work really well and really hard with and then go home for tea and moan and feel self-righteous with about how hard you work compared to other colleagues.  Could be that colleague who feels as much pain as you do when he sees learners who are ill, or lonely, or sad.  Could be that woman in the combi who you share a seat with for 6 hours from Rundu to Divundu, and you feel exhausted, frustrated, but also somehow accomplished together.  Could be those learners who you are about to ask to do something, and you turn around, and they’re already doing it.  Could be that PCV who is so ambitious and who pushes you to set strong goals for yourself.  Could be that teacher who you can sit and plan a week’s worth of lessons in an hour with, because you are aware of the content and the best way to teach it.  Could be that man you can sit next to and read with until both of your eyes start to close after a long day.  Could be that little girl who you went to camp with when you were 11 and you still are thankful for her introducing you to the best place in the world.  Could be that farmer who you pull a calf into this world with.  Could be that young woman you met the first day of college who became your best friend.  Could be that colleague who pushes you to a whole new level on the tennis courts.  Could be that life guard who also has a heart attack with you every time he hears an air horn because of one too many missing camper drills.  Could be that little girl who is as Alive Alert Awake and Enthusiastic as you at seven in the morning.  Could be that young man who just wants to sit and be quiet with you for hours. And in those moments, you bond, connect; then the moment shifts.

And the crazy thing about all these spirits is that they’re American; they're brown; they’re Namibian; they're white; they’re Zimbabwean; they’re Indian; they’re Nigerian; they're black; they're yellow, red, blue, green; they’re people.