Cathartic journaling of an adoptive mom.
Latest Posts
-
Inner-circle
To belong. To be seen. To be loved. We are an odd bunch, but we resonate with each other. We felt it was high time to create a space for adoptive families to meet again. It has been a challenging season, from pandemic and isolation to war and generally parenting small people with different personalities,…
-
Outsider
I went to a launch party for a print magazine. I have been so busy, so involved in so many projects, this attendance didn’t even register as something out of my comfort zone. My friend was supposed to come with me. I was excited. There was a dress code and fancy famous people, influencers and…
-
Serving with different gifts
I received a donation from family and a friend, to help with the refugees. We don’t have a lot of wiggle room money these days for unforeseen large expenses , so we accepted their generosity. A burden of grace. The oil belonging to the widow in sarepta. Being available to serve, to pick up and…
-
Impromptu interview
https://violetaaltmann.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/interviu-adoptie-19-martie-31922-2.31-PM.m4a
-
Math
The “attitude of war” is becoming all too familiar. The emotional rollercoaster in our pre-pre teens has began a while ago. We would be in denial not to acknowledge it. The difference is stark between a 5 years old and a 8 years old. Something triggers her. Maybe she didn’t sleep enough, or too much.…
-
Love your neighbor
It was brought to my attention that we have never had good relationships with out Ukrainian neighbors. Land was disputed. Nationalism was inherited from generation to generation. We rarely visited each other. My parents took a trip to Ukraine when I was my daughters age, and I got lost there, just for 30 minute, enough…
-
Burnout
God commanded us to rest. He didn’t suggest we rest on the 7th day. He told us to do so, and He himself did it. Jesus, despite the never ending needs and sorrow, the crowds that swarmed him, he still pulled away in the dessert, in the mountain, in a boat, he sought time with…
-
processing a season of war
This intense season feels familiar. My mommy brain has been training for such a time as this. Have you ever filled balloons with air, the classic way? I was terrified that if I blew too much air the balloon will pop in my face. It has happened once or twice. But as I see and…
-
Toxic stress
The reason kids from difficult places have special emotional needs that affect sometimes their ability to learn, is because early on their brain was flooded to stress hormones. And there was nobody to console them, to help them feel safe. To meet their needs, to offer warmth, and nourishment and rest. Many adoptive families believe…
-
The difficult question of submission, not so difficult after all
We met at the age of 22. Our love and obedience to God was a decisive factor in our decision to marry. I had no illusions about my husband’s experience and abilities as a spiritual leader, to be the priest of our house. But I told him I loved God more than I loved him.…
-
Subliminal noise
Maybe we would do a better job separating the anxious thoughts bombarding us, if we weren’t also involved in helping out directly. I thought my plate was full, and then I added one more course on top of it full. I fear I may mix up events, groups, or let things fall through the cracks.…
-
Connected
The last few weeks, maybe months, I have felt disconnected. Though I function in society, I am connected to people, I serve, I enjoy life, I live, at a deeper level I have felt unsure, a bit cautious, and disconnected. What if I’m completely off tracks? I wrote a piece to break the ice, for…
