Every once in a while, I revisit the importance of a father-figure in J's life. The best way I have found is to ask her how she feels about it. She has gone through distinct phases in the last few years.
When I first broached the subject of "father" her reaction was one of vehement denial. She did not want to hear anything about him and most definitely did not want a father. The next time, there was some curiosity along with a grudging acceptance of the fact that she missed having a father. While she still did not want her "real" father who she has never seen, she was interested in a "good daddy" and trusted Mommy would find one in short order.
Thankfully children have a very mutable notion of time. An hour could last an eternity if a treat is promised after naptime. Yet the years that she has been waiting for the "good daddy" to come into her life could be only as long as a few minutes. Last night we spoke about her father or the lack of one. My little girl has come such a long way that she humbles me.
Me: When do you think we'll find your "good daddy", J ?
J : I've told God to find me one soon.
Me: But when do you think God will find him ?
J : It could take some time.
Me : Does it bother you that God is taking so long ?
J : Does it bother you ?
Me : Sometimes it does.
J : I don't care if it bothers me.
Me : Why do you think you want a daddy ?
J : So we can be family.
Me : Aren't we family now, J ?
J : We are little family. I want to be more family - like the song We Are Family.
Me : What's the difference ?
J: The house is empty. I want the house to be full of family just like the song.
An expat desi friend and I were discussing what it means to return to India when you have cobbled together a life in a foreign country no matter how flawed and imperfect. We have both spent over a decade outside India and have kids who were born abroad and have spent very little time back home. Returning "home" is something a lot of new immigrants like L and myself think about. We want very much for that to be an option because a full assimilation into our country of domicile is likely never going to happen. L has visited India more often than I have and has a much better pulse on what's going on there. For me the strongest drag force working against my desire to return home is my experience of life as a woman in India. I neither want to live that suffocatingly sheltered existence myself nor subject J to it. The freedom, independence and safety I have had in here in suburban America was not even something I knew I could expect to have in India. I never knew what it felt t...
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