When we sent care packages to Ethiopia, we included photo albums for our kids. One of the most enjoyable things to watch has been Meazi meeting our loved ones in the flesh. She had obviously looked through the photos in Ethiopia, and as soon as she was in our care we paged through them together.
We included photos of our relatives, many of our friends, her school, our house and garden, and the pups. She carried that album (and her voice recorder-more on that later) with her everywhere. The album was one of several 'books' she chose to read each night at bedtime once we got home.Meazi with Pip and Squeak...
There is a picture of our next door neighbor in the album. Her name is Blake. She is thirteen years old. One day after school, I took Meazi over to meet Blake. Meazi was really shy. We only stayed twenty minutes or so. Blake played the piano for Meazi, and showed her how a Jacob's Ladder worked. Blake's father gave Meazi her first Cheez-it cracker. That night, as Meazi lay down to sleep she opened her album to the picture of Blake. She slept with her small hand clutching it the whole night. When she woke up she rolled over and groggily uttered, "Blake" her first word of the day.
In the beginning there was a lot of checking, and cross referencing with the album. She'd meet someone in person, and then later, after they had gone, she'd go to their photo in the book.
"Lori is Abe's mommy?"
With Lori and Abe...
She met Mimi's daddy and developed what I think was her second crush, (her first one being Solomon from the orphanage). After meeting Mimi's daddy she said, "Mommy, Chris konjo." Then she giggled.
Meazi and Mimi...
With Amy and Tunsi, and Tamoco (Tunsi's nanny)...
With Pip and Squeak and Yennie and Demoze...
And Sentayehu...
And Gigi...
And Aliya...
And Noah...
Of course the most moving 'photo to face' moments for me have been when she met my parents.
Meeting my mom at LAX when we landed...
Meazi showing her Papa her album...
Maybe it is too much. Maybe it is too many new people for just over three months. Steven and I have been talking to Meazi lately about who is friend and who is family. This too, is another post. Meazi definitely had some issues with indiscriminate affection giving in the beginning (just ask any stranger who happened to be in the elevator with us and received a hug and kiss from Meazi). Now she will confirm, "Mommy, Uncle Mark family?" "Yes Meazi, Uncle Mark is family.
After a particularly lovely afternoon with Amy and Tunsi, Meazi got into the car and said "Mommy, Amy and Tunsi family?" I hesitated with this one as I feel like so many people we know are indeed our family, but remembering my discussion with my husband I said, " Amy and Tunsi 'friends'.
She said, "No mommy, Amy and Tunsi family." I just nodded my head in agreement.
The album is less of an accoutrement now for Meazi. She is okay with leaving it in her bookcase. She even took the 'M' sticker from the beginning of her name to use on another project.
As the images become flesh, and the flesh becomes familiar, we put the album behind us and move forward...
with our friends and our family.
