I went on and on about the breathtaking geology we'd encountered in Iceland. "But it rained and rained and rained," I lamented wryly. "Actually, I think that's our third trip together in a row where it's rained."

"You know," she began—Vuyelwa was getting quickly pulled away by parents and teachers who wanted to greet the wife of the new Dean of Faculty. "Where we come from, rain is a blessing." As she turned to other conversations the last thing to leave was the twinkle in her kind, calm eyes.