I Am Ma
Exactly five years ago, we were in Ukraine, three weeks into our five-week adventure for Masha’s adoption. For the next few weeks, I’m posting excerpts and a photo or two from each day. Sometimes funny, and sometimes proof of how naive we were, I hope you’ll enjoy our little trip down memory lane…
I spoke too soon about the rain. And the heat. And if there’s not much to do except go to the park on days that are hot and sunny, there’s even less when it’s cold and rainy.
When we arrived at the orphanage, Kseniya asked us to wait in the Room of the Loud Bird, and Masha appeared a few seconds later. We were told that the Director wanted to speak with us (which was good because we wanted to speak with her, too), so while we waited for her, we pulled out the laptop and showed Masha through some of the photos from the past few days. When we were called in, we left Masha on the couch with it.
For the entirety of the hosting time last summer, Masha called us Mark and Christine. Since we’ve been here, she’s still called us Mark and Christine, but she’s also been calling us “Um.” Kind of like when you first get married and you’re not entirely sure what to call your in-laws, we’re hearing a hesitance from her…. “do I call them Mom and Dad, or Mark and Christine? I am not sure. I think I will call them Um.” We are referring to ourselves as Mama and Papa, but not forcing the issue. So when we took Masha for a quick, uneventful cafeteria lunch, I was encouraged that she called me “Ma” when she offered me a bite of her ham salad. At least, I hope it was “Ma” and not a dyslexic “Um.”
On a side note, our meetings with the Director and Psychologist were very good. We talked a lot about Masha’s recent moods. They agree that she is afraid of coming to the US, but that she still loves us very much and wants to go with us. Both meetings were very informative, and we learned a lot about how to tailor our efforts when we get back home. We talked with the psychologist about some very concrete strategies to help her adjust, to build trust, and to motivate and encourage her. It’s also very interesting to compare her personality traits and coping styles to our own; God knew what he was doing when he put us all together, and she is definitely our daughter!!!
What do you call your in-laws? Leave a comment…
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About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
I call Kathy’s parents “Mom and Dad”. Kathy’s mom told me right up front to address them that way, and it was not a very difficult transition for me, as my parents have been dead for decades! It was a very comfortable thing to do right from the start.
Christine, I LOVE the journal entries you’ve been sharing lately. It’s a really cool perspective to reflect on for your readers, as well as for you I’m sure!
So great that you had such a comfortable relationships with Kathy’s parents so early!
Glad you’re enjoying the story. It has been really interesting to go back through and remember–I’m very glad I took up blogging. The best parts for me have been reading some of our predictions!