- 11/18/2009 11:00:14 PMMichael's StoryAfter I wrote the previous post about Michael washing his underwear, he had the chance to hear and read it. He was amazed that someone was writing about him and that other people are reading his story.
I had talked with him about this blog and writing about him before. I told him that I have been writing since he first came to visit in 2007 and that this is "his" story. One day perhaps, I will put it in book form so that he can have his own copy with pictures and all. He seems to like that idea.
Since we have adopted, I have learned that they feel like "throw away people" and gotten the impression that they often feel like no one is listening or watching them. For that matter - that no one cares. Perhaps this is one of the things that drives Michael to seek so much attention. He cries out from his soul, "Look at me!. Look at me!". That in itself is a tragedy.
The downside to all of this is (wait... there are many downsides) Let me restate that. One of the bothersome parts is that Michael doesn't like his story and is somewhat embarrassed when he hears the tale of all of his shenanigans and foolishness. This is more than simply some feed back from Mom and Dad. It is written in black and white. Perhaps in his mind, this is the same as being written in stone. Somehow - it is more real.
On one of the previous early blog posts, I had put in a map from MapLoco of the world that indicated where all the blog readers were coming from. There were red dots indicating visitors from all the corners of the globe. Michael's eyes opened up wide when he saw that.
"Does Dad ever write about anything good?", Michael asked. Of course Michael had just read the story of his underwear and tooth brushing exploits so perhaps he was concerned about how other people might perceive him. Hiding what he is up to is a big deal for Michael. Perhaps so is hiding "who he really is" on the inside.
"I think so", said Mom. "Dad writes about the things you give him to write about. If you give him something good to write about, I'm sure he will write about that too."
Mom told him that this was "his" story and what a potentially powerful story it was. She reminded him that there are millions of other children around the world who had the same start that he did - which in a nutshell is the loss of everything important. She showed ho they are still stuck where they are and how there just aren't enough people who are willing to help. Someone needs to help them... but who? Who will stand in the gap for these kids and say, "here am I. I will go and help."
Mom continued, "Just think of how they could benefit from hearing the tale of a kid who lost everything" This includes losing parts of his mind, as well as his innocence. She told him to imagine the potential of taking his life and then turn it all around to live a life that glorified God and live to help others out of the same circumstances. WOW!
These were inspiring words for Michael to hear but living those words will be a long and difficult journey and there would be many things to overcome.
"How do you think your story is going to end?", Mom asked.
"I want it to end good", said Michael.
"How it ends is up to you", said Mom.
Remember what I previously said about Michael's views of Wanting verses Having. To him, they are nearly the same.
I want to be his little cheer-leader. The Dad who roots him on from the corner. "Come On Michael! You Can Do It! Put the puzzle pieces together and see the big picture! Show me a sign! Give me a ray of hope!"
