Family photo 2013

Family photo 2013

Friday, April 30, 2010

**Special Category**

Titled:
Things I would change if I was in charge

I don't know how this goes around the rest of the world, but it often (typically? always?) in Ethiopia, the children in orphanages refer to their caregivers as enat, mama. They may have had several enats during their time in an institution. I wish they would call these ladies who play a vital, priceless role in the lives of the children they care for something else. Like Ms. Molly, or Auntie, or any other number of suitable terms of endearment.

Here is why. Let's look at how this breaks down from the child's perspective.

I had my mama.
I was happy.
She took care of me.
Then, she died or could not feed me.
One day, she was gone.
My heart was broken.
I moved to a new place where I didn't know anyone.
I was scared.
There were other mamas there.
They took care of me.
They fed me and bathed me.
My heart started to heal.
I became a little bit happy again.
Then, one day another mama came to pick me up and take me home.
My other mamas were gone.
I moved to a new place.
I was scared.
My new mama took care of me.
She fed me and bathed me.
My heart started to heal.

I wondered who would be next......

Mama = temporary.

And the burden lies with the adoptive parent to teach a child who has only known temporary mommys that Mama = forever. Alone.

With some children, this is no easy task.

3 comments:

Ice Cream Lady said...

not easy. I wish it was different too. Only time can really prove to them that mama=forever. Time is cruel is seems. Praying for you all.

Always a learner said...

it takes TIME alot of TIME and then some more TIME! Brandon was in 8 homes before he came to me. 8 homes. 8 mamas. 8 changes. 8 cracks in his little foundation. He just turned 4 when I became mama number 9. I wish I could have been mama number 1 and he could have a solid foundation.
But Mama number 9 had something different for Brandon. I had the kind of love that lasts forever, and a desire to make him all mine. He feels it, he knows it, he has grown to trust it. He is mine and I am his. He filled some cracks in my broken foundation and I did the same for him.

You and your family are doing the same for Meadow and Flint. Insecurities will pop up when you least suspect it, but you will show them that you are still their forever mama. And God will bless you all!

Unknown said...

I have goosebumps. The thought of a "mama" being temporary brings tears to my eyes.

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