Hi everyone,
Here’s our latest, and it’s one that is both near and dear to my heart as well as an example of how humour can be healing. For the most part, it typifies our first week with Jayden, our new son from Vietnam. Basically, he bonded with my wife more than I, and to be honest, it was really, really tough for me.
All’s good now, but there were certainly those moments when I wondered if he’d ever come to be close to me. Now, he’s just as close to me as my wife and sometimes even prefers me over her!
But to help me deal with it, I wrote up this comic. I actually wrote it while in Vietnam and because both Jess and I are incredibly busy, it took a bit of time to draw it and post it.She captured us very well, although I don’t wear long pajamas and slippers and Sarah definitely doesn’t wear fluffy slippers or a nightrobe (and you really wouldn’t in Vietnam anyway – too hot!).
This comic helped me gain a sense of perspective on being an adoptee, on adopting, and on finding ways to get through a challenging and life-changing experience for me and my family. Enjoy!
I can’t you both how much I enjoy these comics. And Bert, you do have my sympathies with this one. We have two kids. Our daughter isn’t adopted; our son, the younger, we adopted as a baby. Within a few short hours he was utterly smitten by his new big sister (then age 5 and totally in love herself). For the first few days, both viewed us as little more than the source of food while they wove their spells around each other. A few months later the little stinker’s first word wasn’t mama or dada, it was her name. There’s just no about doubt who he bonded with first. I’m convinced he decided to trust, and then love, us by following her lead. The pair of them are rascals and usually up to no good, but it’s amazing seeing them still putting each other first almost three years later.
Best phrase i have heard in ages “viewed us as little more than the source of food” awww, well i’m glad all is well now =)
Forget how I found you but enjoy your work!!
We just adopted our 3rd child, a boy named Jayden! Best wishes!
Congratulations!
OMG Bert, you don’t wear long PJs and Sarah doesn’t wear fluffy slippers, my whole image of you two is shattered =P.
But Bert, i’ve no doubt that in the long run there will be a connection cos you undoubtedly have many adoptee experiences, so don’t give up =) *hugs*
While this is Bert’s Story, some of the reasons i really liked this one was it made me think about my own assumptions as an adoptee. I often do talks explaining my experiences and something that comes up a lot is experiences of assumptions from strangers and their views of adoption or what they think it’s like to be an adoptee… but it’s easy to forget i have loads of assumptions myself and how life should be =).
This comic also parallels many thoughts and worries i’ve been having lately about having my own kids in the future. I always joke to my husband that I bet i’ll be seen as the super strict mean mum and he’ll always be the awesome push over cushy dad =P. But thats still a good few years off before i think seriously about kids =P
Love it!