How many major decisions have you made based upon eeny meeny miny mo or Rock Paper Scissor? In your lifetime probably more than you can count. Today, when we were walking to school Noah told me about a time he had to use his own version to make a big decision in his life. Once again I have to add, every day I gain a new sense of perspective from him, and this morning was no different.
We started our walk as we usually do, chatting about bugs and how tall the field grass is or whether or not the boys should have brought a sweatshirt to keep away the morning chill. Today, Noah turned his backpack so he was wearing it on his front. He made a little pouch and smiled, saying “This is how I carried Galiela.” (Galiela is his baby cousin who was given up for adoption prior to Noah’s relinquishment. He still talks both his aunt and his baby cousin almost daily) He told me how he would carry her all over Desse, his home town. From sun up until sun down his aunt would go to the Teff fields to harvest the grain and Noah would be in charge of baby Galiela. Noah said their neighbor, Mrs. Wordos, would be home so Noah would check in with her throughout the day. Now and then Noah would carry Galiela out to the fields, in his front pack, to visit his aunt Genet. When he would have to leave and Genet had to get back to work Galiela would scream for her mommy, like any baby her age, any where in the world would do.
Sadly Noah’s time with Galiela was short lived. Genet had no way to feed the two extra mouths. One day she took Galiela to the orphanage where she relinquished her. Noah was devastate at the loss of his baby cousin. Through Noah’s recollections Galiela was adopted to a family in Spain.
Things didn’t get better for Noah and Genet. This morning Noah recalled a moment with Genet. Genet told Noah she could not take care of him anymore. She told Noah she had three choices for him as far as where he could go. America. Spain. Somalia. Noah has an uncle in Somalia and Genet considered sending him to live with the uncle. Here in front of 6 year old Noah were three options. America. Spain. Somalia.
This morning...with his fingers...Noah showed me how he became our son. He touched his pinky finger on his left hand and said, “America.” He touched his ring finger on his left hand and said, “Spain.” He touched his middle finger on his left hand and said, “Somalia.” He continued this through all ten fingers and whatever country he said when he touched his right pinky finger was his choice... “America.”
.jpg)
