Riding the rollercoaster
Life as I know it has been just like a boda-boda ride down the pot-holed roads of Kampala. Boda-bodas are the closest thing to Heaven—or Hell—depending on which one you believe in. The quickest, most efficient, yet scariest way to get around that city, they are death-wish motorbikes driven by crazed teenaged drivers. Anyone who is brave enough to experience the boda-boda ride can describe to you just what that thin line between life and death actually looks like.
Yet now I now find myself facing just as much fright out here in Manila. Back with my family, you see, we’re starting life together all over again. Since dad is away from home most of the time on business or mission trips, I find myself having to be father and second mom to all the kids. I know. It’s a weird way to look at it, but it’s my reality for now.
Since the holidays are now over, I decided that order must be reestablished in this household. We called a family meeting and outlined a daily schedule, home rules and regulations and tagged each kid with a responsibility. It felt good to finally have some structure. I know the kids like it better too. This afternoon I marched everyone off for a jog around the neighborhood, and I’ve been sticking to our family resolutions, like no TV till evening after the chores are done.
Mom backs me up in every way, supporting my ideas and praying and counselling with me. It’s a new ballgame, having to support a large family… and like a new ride up and down many scary hills. But just like the boda-boda rides, there’s a certain thrill in surviving each moment; getting through each day.
I’m holding on for dear life.