The village - expanded

My village. As I was looking through pictures of Eli over the years, I was reminded of the many people who have participated in the parenting of our only son.  When we first found out we were having a boy, we were a little wary (neither of us being macho, athletically inclined people), but with the help of our friends and family, we’ve grown with him and are happy and proud to have him in our family. 

Many of you know that you are part of my village – you are my parents or blood relatives, you share holidays and birthdays with us, you hear my praises and/or complaints about parenting, school, moving to Canada, etc.. 

But there are others who I also consider part of the bringing up of my children: For Eli specifically – his village includes those of you held him when he was little (even for a minute when I was wrestling with 2 kids under 3), those of you who tossed a ball, shared sports facts with him, or coached him (even buying him jerseys and other paraphernalia), those of you in Sabbath school who listened to his jokes and stories about life in the Dixit home, and even those you classmates and old-coworkers who share great party ideas with me on pinterest.   In our new home country, it’s also those of you who greet him by name every day at school and every Sabbath at church (Eli loves being so popular), and my new friends (and old ones Rubyna Tatlock) who share parenting stories and prayers and give us Canadian advice and activities to try – You are part of my village and I thank you for joining me in raising our intelligent, funny, athletic, talented Eli!  We have a pretty good life and a really great son!

I may be sounding melancholy in the blogpost – my first in months.  But I just want to remind myself, and whoever reads this, that every kind interaction counts.