What exactly does a Momma say to her baby boy when she hears this? Communication is still trial and error, a lot of demonstrating with hands and words strung together that make you sound as if you are talking to a toddler. This is not to diminish my Sons intelligence or ability to understand, simply it is to put a perspective on why we couldn't go into an in-depth discussion about why he was sad, what happened to make him sad, etc...So I said this "Ekurtah(I'm Sorry) Asart was sad in Ethiopia. When Asart and Abrehem were in Ethiopia Mommy and Daddy were sad, but when Asart and Abrehem came to America Mommy and Daddy were very happy" He smiled - if you ever see this smile you will see how it lights up everything- and said "Yes, Mommy Daddy happy Asart Abrehem come to America"
My Asart is going through a transition right now and he is shunning all things Ethiopian. He did not want to go to the local Ethiopian restaurant. When we got there he had no interest in playing with the children who knew him from the Care Center. He refused to eat his food without a fork and once he finished what little he ate he was adament about leaving right that minute. Driving home he said "I dont go to insert name of restaurant here again, Asart no like"
More often then not when we ask him what a word is in Amharic he says "I don't know" he used to offer up this information completely unsolicited.
On Sunday we were going to go to the Ethiopian Festival. We wanted the Boys to where their traditional Ethiopain outfits. Asart was not having any of it. "I don't like Mommy, please no" and so he didn't. Which was OK because at lunch, before we went he started crying. After some prompting he finally said barely above a whisper "I don't go to Ethiopian Park" and he cried quietly. We decided that the anxiety this caused him was to great and we would not go.
We are following his lead on this one. His experiences have led him to this point and we will hold his hand through his journey. I pray he comes full circle and embraces his beautiful heritage. He has much to be proud of.
Until that day comes I will continue to thank God that "In America Asart Happy"
This is just precious! I am so glad that he is happy and safe now!!
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