This Morning Has Been Coming for Years

Six years ago, I didn't see it coming.

"Sweetie, I think you should study Spanish. We live in Texas."

"Mom, I am going to study French."

A couple of years later Geneva shared that she was studying French because she wanted to get into the Peace Corps. Lots of African countries are former French colonies and French language skills would increase the probability of being placed on that continent.

But Peace Corps was just one of several ambitions.

"I'll to grow up and be head of the CIA. Then they will have to show me the alien bodies."

"I'll grow up and marry a dumb Republican. He'll watch the kids and I can go out at night and be a super hero."

"I'll grow up and marry a man that my dad will hate."

When Geneva headed off to college at Juniata, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, she arrived just in time for the last freshman orientation before the fall semester began. Her orientation group was mostly international students. She joined the French Club and trekked with them to Quebec for fall break. She showed up every day for language practice with a French exchange student from Lille.

It was November 5, 2008 that the Peace Corps ambition crystallized into an intention. The presidential election had just been called for Obama the night before. Geneva had been giddy with joy. I could barely hear our brief conversation over the whoops of celebration at the Juniata student democrats party. The next morning I called again and, in a brief conversation with a more sober Geneva, she said, "Mom, I've made up my mind. I am going to apply for Peace Corp. I want to serve this president."

Her course was set and this morning she is in an airplane on her way to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa.