Today, I had yet another unique experience on the World Race. Today, I met Mama Obama, Barack’s grandmother. She lives on the outskirts of town, about a two hour drive from where we are staying and our contacts made arrangements for us to meet her. When we arrived, we were escorted to chairs that were placed under the shade of a large tree, just outside her home. She welcomed us and told us she was happy we were able to see the humble background that Barack came from. It truly was humble. I imagined she lived in some grand home, but she lives in a small, cozy home and cows roam around her front yard with the chickens.
She is a beautiful women. She told us stories of Barack when he came to visit Kenya for the first time and then again when he brought Michelle. We asked how she felt when he became president and in such an honest answer she said, “I was just happy.” And then she told us it was similar to if you planted a mango tree from a seed and watched it grow and then bear fruit. She told us that in her life she has been blessed, as she put it, “I’ve had many meals.” She is 88 years old, we found out. We asked her how her life has changed since Barack became president and she said, “this.” Meaning, she gets more visitors. She doesn’t mind them she said and, she welcomes anyone who comes to visit.
