Approaching Another Farewell

The date for my return to the U.S. is fast approaching and as with last year, I have conflicting emotions. One difference, however, is this time I leave Jim living in our own rented home, and more entrenched and well accepted by his colleagues at the hospital.
The other evening we attended a farewell dinner for four Cuban doctors who are returning to Cuba after completing a two-year assignment in Tamale. Several hospital personnel - physicians, nurses, and administrators - came up to me and sang Jim's praises. He was even encouraged to say a few words to everyone and like a true Ghanaian, followed a speech with one of his tried and true jokes.
We are now in the middle of Ramadan and sometimes the Islamic call to prayer seems louder than usual. Actually, I think I'll miss the assortment of sounds in Tamale - the hypnotic Muslim chants, the beautiful singing and playing of drums during Mass on Sundays, the ever-reliable roosters waking us up each morning, and the amazing variety of bird calls during the day.
Life here in the Northern Region of Ghana continues to be alluring in its own exceptional way.