Violeta Altmann

Author: Violeta

  • Like a river

    Like a river

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    Life has entered a smooth season, of solid anticipation of waves, twists and turns. There is little to say about life, other than the fact that we are entering soon the summer vacation, and we wonder how that will be. Will the days seem long? will they fly by?

  • Shame

    Shame

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    Shame is a tricky feeling. Embarrassment. Or being startled, or scared.

  • She takes it all in

    She takes it all in

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    We reap the benefits of every word of advice or correction shared with Jackie. We hear her incorporate what we tell her in her play, or shares it with others. The other day I was putting on daddy’s fluffy housecoat, and daddy says with a goofy tone “hey, that’s my housecoat!” To which Jackie responds…

  • 1 semester of kindergarten

    1 semester of kindergarten

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    I am most grateful for kindergarten because Jaclyn got to play with kids her age, unsupervised by me. It gave me confidence in her and in myself. At times I felt responsible to oversee her actions, against my better judgement. I am inclined to trust her, and let her make mistakes and learn from them,…

  • Flori

    Flori

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    I don’t know if kids come and play with all the other parents, but when Conrad and I arrive at kindergarten to pick Jackie up, a handful of kids drop everything to come and play with us. Conrad makes silly faces at them, tickles them, chases them around. Ah, the squeals and laughter! There is…

  • Defiance and the appreciation of it

    Defiance and the appreciation of it

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    This is the 8th month of knowing Jackie. We’ve had great days and very hard days, and making it through has strengthened our relationship, confidence and faith.

  • Mail

    Mail

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    The mailman knocked at our door today at noon. Unexpected visit. He was very nervous. He said he was called into the director’s office this morning regarding my complaint – a short email I sent last evening. He was embarrassed.

  • All the things that went wrong today:

    All the things that went wrong today:

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    We got Jackie’s passport back, with an invitation to go to the interview at the US Embassy on her behalf. Bucuresti is 600 km away. That will be Jackie’s first plane ride, at the end of June.

  • Visa

    Visa

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    Violeta
    in

    Yesterday I sent in Jackie’s passport to the embassy via the free tnt delivery service, to get a visa for her, to visit the states, hopefully at Christmas.

  • Today is Mother’s Day in California.

    Today is Mother’s Day in California.

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    A few years back I had arrived to PBCC and saw on the bulletin a note about the flowers adorning the front of the church. They were dedicated to all the women who that day were childless due to a slew of reasons listed right there, singleness, infertility, loss of a child etc. It made…

  • Labeling emotions

    Labeling emotions

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    About the full spectrum of emotions. Honesty. And secure attachment.

  • Nap time

    Nap time

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    Trying to put Jaclyn to bed this afternoon, I lie next to her and I hear her whispering quietly; Then she lifts her head, sees me and asks: “Who is this, sleeping in my bed? It must be a princess. It’s princess mommy!” Then she kisses my cheek. [mixed fairytales reenacted]