The first few weeks in America for Alex were pretty consistent. The honeymoon was lovely. Now that he's been here for 6+ weeks, we are experiencing some bigger ups and downs. We are seeing bigger gains, but also more frequent bumps. I sense that he is starting to see how hard this really is going to be for him. Learning a new language, assimilating into a very different culture and lifestyle, figuring out the boundaries and expectations; it doesn't all happen overnight. Coming from a world where he lived day-to-day, with little attention paid to the future, these long term undertakings are daunting, I'm sure. There are times when Alex is focused, at ease, and thoroughly enjoying this new life. There are times, though, when everything seems to crash down on him and it's just too much. Add in typical 16 year old boy issues and a communication rift and you've got yourself quite a puzzle. It's hard to know exactly where to draw those boundaries, how hard to push, when to give him space and when to wrap my arms around him and tell him how much he is loved.
The next couple of weeks will be quite a test for all of us, as we will be operating outside our normal routine. I'm hoping the scales tip in favor of smiles, laughter, and forward progress.
Hang in there! He will be able to sense the calm in the midst of his storm and know that whatever he does or says cannot minimize or remove the love you have for him. One day at a time and keep track of the blessings and put aside the bumps.
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