Tis, The Holiday Season. Trying to make some fun memories is a rough thing for us this time of the year. I gotta say, I sorta hate it! However, being the open minded adopted mom that I try to be I'm spending a lot of time just listening. From what I've been told, we aren't as much fun here in the USA as in Colombia. So here's what I am "competing" with:
1) A month off from school.
2) Trips to the river where you swim. Then kill pigs, make rellena, tripe and other Colombian cuisine.
3) Music Concerts. Check out you tube!
4) Parades with floats.
5) Polvo (Powder). They spray this stuff on everything and everyone.
6) Fireworks on the 24th and 25th.
7) A day with water balloons where people have water balloon fights.
8) Mass in houses with the best mangers and snacks.
9) Riding in the back of pickup trucks with loud music.
So... yeah when does our flight leave? Really! It's sounds fun. On the flip side, this is what I can offer:
1) We work/go to school until the 23rd.
2) We live in a tundra...maybe I could take him ice fishing?
3) Concerts... I can do. Spanish music ones... not so sure.
4) Parades, not so much. That being said, he wouldn't wake up for the Macy's one!
5) Powder, I got an idea! A GOOD idea!
6) Fireworks... rollin' illegal I'm sure. Wouldn't be the first time though.
7) I refuse to play water balloons with this kid. I bruise really easy and really bad.
8) My manger is from the dollar store. So...we could upgrade.
9) I know a guy with a pickup. He'll let us cruise around with loud music.
Culture is distinct. I know it's supposed to be. The world would be a very boring place if it wasn't. On that note, it's difficult to find a healthy mix of the old and the new. Maybe he's not ready or maybe it's not healthy to let go of the old. Maybe he's not ready or maybe it's not healthy for him to welcome all of the new stuff right away either. Year by year, little by little...I hope the sadness and depression he feels melts away. I hope I find the delicate balance of leading him into a new life and at the same time respecting the old one. He's expressed multiple times a strong desire to return to his birthplace for the holidays. I just don't think he gets that there isn't much going to be waiting for him there.
Deep topic this month. As always, thanks for reading.
