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The last few times we have had Ethiopian food the girls have shy-ed away from their beloved Kitfo and Berbere sauce saying it was to spicy and that they had to drink a lot of water. My hubby teased them the last time saying, “Where are my Ethiopian girls?”. This must have challenged them.
Tonight we went to our monthly Ethiopian gathering at an Ethiopian restaurant and the girls dug in and ate two and three platefuls of amazing, authentic, tasty food! It was good to see them using their fingers with injera. It always amazes me how Mita and get food all over her while using a fork, yet when she eats with her hands she doesn’t make a mess! I guess she does have 8 years experience eating with her fingers and only 1 year with utensils.
I have seen the girls become more comfortable with their Ethiopian culture lately. When we first got them home, they seemed to be shy about being from Ethiopia and concentrated on their new “Americanisms”. Mita has even asked me to talk to her class about adoption and Ethiopia. I have spoken in Enu’s class, but Mita has always refused.
I am so delighted that they are embracing their heritage again. All of the trips to Ethiopian restaurants, the money spent on Ethiopian books, DVD’s and CD’s have apparently paid off. Yeah, I’ve done something right.
Today has been a rough day. I just wanted to curl up on my bed and read a book. The girls have fought all day and we almost didn’t go to the restaurant. I knew I would regret not going, so off we went and had a good time.
Keeping our kids familiar with the Ethiopian culture isn’t always easy, living where we do it means a lot of driving. I’m tired, the kids still fought the while way home, but I did get a glimmer of happiness in seeing them eat tonight. Sometimes as parents a glimmer is all we get.
