When Mark and I are "on our game" (which we are not right now), we like to do affirmations
with the kids at the dinner table. Generally it involves us going
around the table and saying a few things we like about each kid, and a
few ways they have made us proud that day. We haven't done this since
Kembe came home, and the other night as we were eating it occurred to me
that we needed to include him in this tradition.
I went around the
table, saying the usual things. As we affirmed Jafta, and then India,
and then each other, Kembe sat there quietly, with wide eyes and a
curious look. I could tell he understood what I was saying and was
watching with anticipation. Then, it was his turn. I told him in my
best Krenglish how much I loved him, how funny he is, how nice he is to
the baby, how handsome he is, and how happy we are that he is in our
family.
Oh my word. If I could have somehow captured the look on
his face at this moment, it would melt your heart. He just got this
look about him that I've never seen. It was pure joy . . . just
unadulterated excitement and pride and happiness. He was BEAMING. And
seeing him, I just thought: this.
This
is what every child longs for and deserves . . . the adoration and
affection from a parent. This is why I spent the better part of a day
sounding off at a small portion of a news program dissing adoption.
This is why I get so frustrated with attempts to shut down children
being placed in the home of a loving family, because of something like
race, or location, or sexual orientation, or finances, or home size.
When
you see a glimpse of a child getting it - this. This family thing. When that starts to click
and you get to bear witness to it . . . I just don't think there is
anything more beautiful.
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