Ring Fingers

Whereas in the US we wear engagement and wedding rings on our left ring fingers, and in many other countries they place them on the right, in Kenya each finger with a ring symbolizes something different. The ring finger means married; the pinky finger means single and looking; the middle finger means separated or divorced. Unfortunately I don’t remember the other two. This was all explained to me last night when, for the second time while dancing with someone at Dallas, I was asked if I was divorced because of the ring I wear on my middle finger – my Nana’s engagement ring.

I’ve thought a lot about wearing this ring here. I’ll be absolutely devastated if it gets taken from me. But because it means so much to wear it, I’m taking the risk and crossing my fingers that no one ever pries it from my hand. I guess I’ll also accept that people may assume I’m divorced, which actually I’m fine with.