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| Thankful for us adopting him |
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| Thankful to be legal! |
Without skipping a beat Mikias said, "I am thankful to Mom and Dad for adopting me."
As Jemberu squirted ketchup all over his turkey he told us what he was thankful for, "Ketchup!"
This may sound weird, but I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving that Mikias is thankful for a condiment, or an age, a sport, a pet, a food or a girl (actually, not a girl, not yet). It's not just Thanksgiving that reminds him to be thankful for us adopting him. There is not a night that he says his prayers that he doesn't thank God for us adopting him. Not just thankful for us. Thankful for us adopting him.
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| Thankful for ketchup |
When I was a kid, I don't recall being thankful that my parents adopted me. I took my place in my family for granted, like Jemberu. I want Mikias to take his place for granted as well.
I wonder if the thankfulness is the result of remembering. Mikias remembers his life before us. Jemberu does not. Mikias remembers wanting a family. He remembers things that make him grateful for the love and security that a family provides. I can't take those realities away from him. I can't make him tuck those memories away, where they are not so close to the surface. I know that will take it's own time.
So, when Mikias is a teenager and I write a blog post about him taking us for granted, do me a favor and remind me to be thankful.
I wonder if the thankfulness is the result of remembering. Mikias remembers his life before us. Jemberu does not. Mikias remembers wanting a family. He remembers things that make him grateful for the love and security that a family provides. I can't take those realities away from him. I can't make him tuck those memories away, where they are not so close to the surface. I know that will take it's own time.
So, when Mikias is a teenager and I write a blog post about him taking us for granted, do me a favor and remind me to be thankful.
Posts
I am with you, Allison...I don't want Livvy to have to be thankful or grateful that we adopted her. I hope Mikias gets where Jemberu is one day...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! Me too. Funny thing, wanting our kids to take us for granted :)
DeleteHi Alison,
ReplyDeleteI think your blog is wonderful, and am a long-time faithful reader. (I generally read blogs on my RSS feed reader, so that’s why you haven’t seen me around previously... rest assured, I’ve been here!) I was recently nominated for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, and have listed you as one of the blogs that I am nominating for the award in turn. Please visit http://notebooksandteacups.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/extra-blog-award-incites-fear-in-new-bloggers-heart/ in order to see my post which outlines the questions that you will need to answer, and note that the “rules” of the award stipulate that you should nominate between 10 and 12 blogs for the award yourself.
I realize that I’m not on the Pulitzer committee, but please know that this nomination is heartfelt, and that I believe that you should be recognized for the awesome work that you’re doing. Congratulations.
Thanks for the great gift that you give to the world through your writing and willingness to share your journey!
NotebooksandTeacups
I am honored! Thank you so much for reading and for nominating me!
DeleteAlison
When my daughter thanks me for adopting her, I say, "thank you for being my daughter. "
ReplyDeleteI always thank Mikias back, too! He always says "my pleasure" :)
DeleteHi Alison! Here’s how I see it. Mikias is showy about how thankful he is that you adopted him. On the other hand, Jemberu shows his gratitude by feeling at home with all of you. It means that, for him, he really found his family. Don’t focus on what you want to hear from your children. Rather, be thankful that they are showing their love for you in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteAiko Dumas
Hi Aiko!
DeleteYou make a great point! Thanks for the comment.
Alison