Transitions

The past two weeks with the children of the summer hosting program have been enlightening. Observing the realities of older children making their spot in a family and families working to accept them is part of that. But more enlightening yet is what observing this process is teaching me about transitions in general.

These four children are transitioning from being orphaned to having a family to call their own. They are learning of the benefits of having someone there to care for them and meet their needs, to enjoy spending time with. They are also learning how difficult it can be to let go and trust that their needs will be met and that love reaches beyond the "fun" times into the difficult times as well.

When the children first arrived they were shy and anxious to step out into the unknown with these strangers who they will one day embrace as their own. Once they stepped out and met this new way of life, the first days were filled with joy, excitement, learning, the thrill of that which is different and new. Road blocks emerged...minor illness and dental problems. Then came the desire for the familiar. While the new is exciting and provides a thrill, there's that yearning for what they have known; even when what they have known may not have been the best situation for them...life in an orphanage. And so the second week has involved a fading of that honeymoon and a struggle to somehow find balance with the draw of the past and the promise of the future.

Reflecting on their experiences, I see their transitioning is not unlike my own attempts to reform my way of living. First I was confronted with anxiety about how to approach this change, but once I stepped out, I enjoyed and embraced the new and different...a healthier way of living. Road blocks emerged...time crunches, exhaustion, other obligations and responsibilities. I too find myself with the honeymoon faded and am feeling inexplicably drawn back to the familiar..the unhealthy habits and lifestyle I once knew...even though it is not the best for me. And so I too am struggling, although in a much smaller way, with somehow finding balance with the draw of the past and the promise of a healthier me of the future.

Interesting that our humanness can bring us together over barriers like life situations, culture, and age when confronted with something we all must face through out our lives....transitions.

And so we continue to work with the children and their families to make it through the work of this change in their lives...and I come away realizing that I too must work in order to transform my own.