In the artisans’ courtyard at the Royal Palace of Abomey, Benin, where the king of Abomey still holds court, I admired the work of local artists — bronze figurines of roaring lions, appliqued maps of Africa, a weaver’s shuttle dancing back and forth.
For someone who seemed to be always on the move, Michael “MJ” Sharp was known for his ability to form relationships. The publication in January of a book about his international efforts to make peace has served as an opportunity for his parents to reflect on the challenges of giving order to the profound diversity of those relationships.