ERIN MICHELLE THRELFALL
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This Life
A Space for Personal Musings

Questions

3/15/2014

26 Comments

 
Picture
Bath. Book. Bed. And sometimes questions. Little ones, like: 
"Can we take Sammy to the park tomorrow?" (Referring to his stuffed dog.)
"Can I have a sleepover?"
"Can I have a dog?"

I wasn't expecting this next question, and yet, it is one I have awaited since he was born. From the tone is his voice, I could tell it was one he had been waiting to ask. 

"Mom, it's important. I need to ask you something."
"Yes?"
"Mommy, did someone else borned me and then you agreed to take care of me?" 
"No honey. I earned you (his term) all on my own. Why do you ask?" 
"Well then, why don't I look like you? Why is my skin different colors than you? Some people say you didn't earn me." 

I've heard it as well. The questions about adoption. 

His eyes turned away from me, down, and to the opposite wall.

"No, sweety, you do look like me.  Your skin is different because your daddy is dark and your mommy is light and when we mixed, we made you. But you have my eyes! You have my hands. Edem, you have my heart."
 
And there it was, his smile. His sweet, sweet smile. And his eyes, locked on mine. 

"I do have your heart. God gave us this heart."

Pause...

"Mommy, why are some people different colors?"

"Well, they are different colors because they originate from different parts of the world, with different sun exposure and different---- Honey, people are different colors because that is how God designed us. To be colorful and beautiful and interesting. Everything the same wouldn't be as wonderful." 

Hug. A tight one. 

"Good night, Mom. "
"Good night, my handsome one."

Breath. Step. 

"Mommy..."
"Yes Edem?"
"Mommy, God is smart. And an artist."



I'm hanging out over at Yeah Write again. Stop by to read the work of some fabulous writers who blog.
26 Comments
that cynking feeling link
3/18/2014 07:52:14 am

An artist indeed. Loved this sweet tale.

Reply
that cynking feeling link
3/20/2014 11:20:41 pm

Congratulations on winning Kevin, the Editor's Kiwi, at the Yeah Write #153 weekly writing challenge!

Reply
Erin link
3/21/2014 12:20:36 am

That's awesome! Thank you!

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7/22/2022 12:09:22 pm

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Stacie link
3/18/2014 08:01:17 am

Aw, I'm seriously misty now. This is so precious!

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Erin link
3/21/2014 01:18:06 am

He is precious, I think! Thanks for stopping by!

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ice scream mama link
3/18/2014 11:11:50 am

so sweet. and smart!

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Erin link
3/21/2014 01:18:36 am

Thank you, Ice Scream Mama!

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Natalie link
3/19/2014 07:40:55 am

He is an artist. :)
This was very sweet.

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Erin link
3/21/2014 01:19:07 am

Little Man says some very sweet things. Thanks for reading!

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Kate from One Third Acre Woods link
3/20/2014 12:47:33 am

Kids are so smart. I love this.

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theinnerzone link
3/20/2014 01:46:40 am

Sweet, indeed!

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Katy Anders link
3/20/2014 04:43:39 am

Kids seem to be able to handle the answers to the questions they ask better than adults can.

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Abdul link
3/20/2014 09:50:24 am

The best: "I do have your heart. God gave us this heart." wonderful, and awesome! All the best with your baby. :)

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Erin link
3/24/2014 09:24:44 am

Thank you, Abdul.

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Kristin link
3/20/2014 10:53:57 pm

I live in a town with lots of families with various skin tones, both biological and adopted. The more the generations see that families come in all sizes and colors and heights, the more natural the questions and acceptance will be for everyone, not just our children.

For my own part, as an adoptee whose skin tone was similar but coloring and body type were not, I had various questions and comments to contend with. And that's okay. In fact, the way my parents and sisters and I handled the questions taught people that it was more than okay. And I like to think it dissipated some of the stigma that still very much existed 40 years ago.

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jen brunett link
3/21/2014 01:35:22 am

Aww i love this!

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Janet
3/21/2014 01:50:45 am

What a beautiful write up. I love how when he asked the questions, you were ready. You knew what you wanted him to take in. That's good parenting! I love the truth in this story.

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Erin link
3/24/2014 09:26:17 am

Thank you, Janet. Parenting is not easy; I think we do our best when we just speak from the heart.

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Esther link
3/21/2014 02:06:51 am

I love the way you told this. Simple and touching.

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Erin link
3/22/2014 01:04:33 am

Thank you, Esther.

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Mila diBali
3/21/2014 02:55:20 am

So sweet..read this again and again and again

Reply
Erin link
3/24/2014 09:27:08 am

Mila, thank you so much for reading. I hope you are your beautiful daughter are doing well in Bali.

Reply
the impossible quiz link
10/19/2018 09:33:31 pm

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    Erin Michelle Threlfall

     Artist, Activist, and Educator, Erin is the mother of a budding genius in his 13th year of study. Erin and her little man, Edem, have a plan to investigate world Theater and influence education one continent at a time. Ghana, South Korea, Togo, Bali, and US have been checked off the list of places to live; these days they call Switzerland  home.

    Erin's work can also be found in World Moms Blog, Huffington Post, 
    Union Station Magazine, and the Gate's Foundation Blog, The Impatient Optimist. 


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