So I said my goodbyes and boarded the plane for Eugene. I had no real expectations for this summer. I knew that it would be amazing, and I would meet new counselors and see old friends, but I had no idea how it was going to change my perspective, yet once again, on how I relate to adoptees....
Camp is such a unique experience. I can't explain to you how much, after the fact, it has impacted who I am. I realized how important it is to not only talk about race, adoption and identity, but also how to connect personally with the campers and counselors. I mean it is after all why we do this, right? For the campers, and to make their experience special and valuable. But it's also effects us, to share in that experience with them.....to listen, relate and understand how important this family we are creating is...
I realized for the first time, how much the community we are building, is needed, wanted and has to be expanded into just more than one week out of the year, for these adoptees.
It's this unspoken bond, this complete level of understanding that is so rare in our everyday lives. Yes, I have tons of non adoptee friends, and do I talk about being adopted with my adopted friends all of the time, no. But there is a layer of ourselves we cannot not deny. I've seen it, in adoption talks, listening to personal stories, there is a definite need to have someone you can relate to. Girls need it, boys need it, and yes adoptees need it too.
We might not express it, think about it or even feel it right now, but its a sub conscience thought. It's a layer of ourselves that define a part of who we are. And we can't deny how special that experience is when we are around other adoptees.
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