Gratitude of 14-year-olds 4/02/10
Each year, Chaba spends the summers back in South Africa. Six weeks without him leaves a hole for us, but we believe its important for him to stay connected to family, culture and language . What we weren’t expecting is that it would create a perspective that would allow him to see the richness in his life. He recently commented on how lucky he is, with so much family that loves him (on two continents), wonderful friends, a great home and community. Imagine our surprise.
Many people have asked me whether Chaba’s history has meant he is divided between two countries, two cultures, never feeling fully part of either. I feel he has somehow learned to move easily between both parts of his life and his identity, and by not holding things too tightly, has created something that is more than either one. His gratitude and persective have become some kind of yeast.
So for me, as someone with one foot in the future, always striving for what comes next, my son has become my teacher.
