Mom and Dad went into a nursing home, then my Daddy died. 

You do the best you can to take care of old folks and you really do a good job, but they get whacked out by strokes and die anyway.  Sometimes I hate mortality.

My Kisii friends from Kenya told me, "You have honor."

Africans are so wise about family.  Taking care of old parents is the best and hardest work you ever do.  It is sad and beautiful.  It is payback.  My father died in my arms and I was lucky to hold him as he went through the last door.  

Then I was exhausted and I thought, honor?  I want a one-way ticket to Hawaii.

Mom had three other kids to look after her, and my bucket was empty.  The well had gone dry.  I found myself in a restaurant, staring at a lava lamp, unable to hold a conversation with a friend, I was so buzzed out. 

So I Ran Away to China.  

I could have gone to Hawaii, but it's in America and I was sick and tired of America because I couldn't save my neighbors (I'm a nurse and saving people is our habit energy).  There was also a third reason.