A new Ethiopian restaurant recently opened in town. It is the only one in Colorado Springs. Super excited for the kids to have the opportunity for some good home cooking, I asked Meadow and Flint if they would like to go eat injera? I was certain they must be missing it terribly! To my complete shock, they said no thanks. "We want to eat pizza."
I was stunned last week also when it occured to me to ask Meadow if she still remembered Amharic. Yesterday marked 4 months since we returned home, and we no longer need to use our translation book to have conversations. I had noticed although their vocabulary is certainly limited (especially for Flint), she and Flint speak to each other exclusively in English now. She said she does not recall Amharic at all.
Wow. I knew they would lose much of their Ethiopian-ness, (I'm sure there is a more technically, politically correct term to use, one that is a real word, I just don't know what it is) but to see it happen so quickly is really quite sad. We gave the appropriate line to the social workers during our homestudy about working to preserve our kids' heritage...etc. And, I truly thought we would be better at it. Life moves along at such a quick click, it is difficult to actually make the effort in addition to everything else that must be done to incorporate Ethiopian traditions into our routines. I suppose the "Americanizing" that is taking place is inevitable. Especially when the children come to the US young.
Not feeling stellar about my Intercountry Adoptive Parent status right about now.
We are going out to eat injera. Like it or not.
Family photo 2013
8 comments:
I bet they'll like it! Sometimes they just want pizza cuz they want to be American so bad. Bereket doesn't care so much about that though... she'd kill for some good injera and wat anyday. :)
Where is it??
Well, don't feel bad....I would just take it as a indication that they love their family life they have now, and that they are adjusting and loving life! But, take them to the Ethiopian restaurant anyway....because you want to! You are doing a wonderful job!!
Yum... I wanna go. Let's plan a Mom-date to go there sometime. You'll have to fill me in on the details.
Tisha, don't despair! I have a word for you! Incorporating Ethiopian culture is no where near over for you! Right now just may be a different season for Meadow and Flint (one that God wants for them) as they begin to feel at home in your's and Bob's love. Later, though, as they begin to understand not just your words but your heart, you will be able to pass onto them a great love for Christ. Then the great passion for Him and His "Passion". Then, imagine it, their great love for you and their Savior will lead them to have a great desire and love for their native country/people. Then, imagine...
Who knows what will come of it! Give it to God, Dear Tisha, and trust His timing and ways and then watch Him work in the lives of these two and soon in the lives of so many more!
I'm new to your blog and enjoying it so. Thanks for your honest candor. I have 6 kiddos in total, two from half way across the world. Maybe another in the next year if God's path ultimately leads us there.
Culture preservation... I too think it's an uphill path. And I absolutely adore my children's birth country and culture, VietNam. But much of the time I feel it is reduced to a holiday celebration and food... which of course does not hack it.
We do the best we can, and that's all we can do.
Thanks again,
Nancy
As an adoptive mother of a Vietnamese child 35 years ago, I can tell you keeping their culture alive is not easy. Frankly, we were not very aware (read totally ignorant) of what we should do to make that happen. No internet to help you see and learn easily about their land, heritage & traditions, nothing like as many international adoptee families, and nothing in the multi-cultural awareness realm at all.
Our son, David, came to us at 7 months old on the Vietnam Baby Lift, thus had no language or memories of his homeland. Despite offers as a teen to see if we could find his birth parents, who gave him up for adoption, he had no interest.
As an adult, however, he has gone to his homeland 3 times. Basically, he went when he was ready to go.
So if you can keep any of their native traditions alive, including foods and holiday celebrations, that is great. But I agree with Anastasia: you love them and raise them, sharing your love & faith for God. Keep their culture alive as you can, but raising them in a loving Christian family is the key, and when they are ready to learn more about their country of birth, it will happen.
So we're anxious to try it out. We've heard the lady that runs it is a Christian who would like to work with adoptive parents and their children from Ethiopia to teach them culture, dance, Amharic, music, and of course food. What did you think of it?
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