Author Archives: Madlene

the kids

Posted by on November 6, 2011 No comments

so, as i have mentioned we have two boys who are 4 and 5. today, they attended the most wonderful birthday party at a small theatre. the small theatre was filled with repatriates and at one point- i stopped to look around and what i saw was positive, amazing people with such drive and a passion to make this country great. all the kids were running around- most of them i knew from when they were warm and snug in their mom’s belly and i felt so insanely grateful to have such great friends and to have the opportunity to be here- in armenia.

after the birthday- we took the kids to grandma and grandpa’s house for a visit. we left them there for a few hours and when we came back they were next door at the new neighbor’s house. i went to fetch them from the neighbors and walked into to find that david (my five year old)- was getting a chess lesson from the neighbor’s 10 year old and my four year old was curiously watching from the sidelines. chess! on the drive home, i asked the boys if they are ready for a second activity (they already do tae kwon do)- and david expressed an interest to play chess and shahik expressed an interest to learn to swim. luckily, the world’s greatest chess players (literally)- live within a stone throw from our home and although we do not have an ocean- we also have great swim instructors. the kids are lucky to be here as well.

Diversity and Armenia

Posted by on October 26, 2011 3 comments

I am often asked what I miss most about living in the United States or what it is that Armenia does not have- that I need. Ten years ago I would have said- bookstores and cafe latte’s- but cafe latte is a staple at most of the places I frequent and my i-pad has become my bookstore… and over the years I have realized that really- it is the diversity that I miss.

I miss different nationalities- different backgrounds and seeing a beautiful rainbow of colors and flavors and hearing the sweet sound of different accents and languages on the street. I miss celebrating Passover with a friend, or being invited for Barbeque Chicken at a colleagues house, or being a guest at a Quincenera or celebrating Greek culture at the LA Greek Fair.

I miss the diversity (and I am sad that my children do not get to experience it)- it is still the one thing that tears at my heart when someone asks “Do you miss anything about the USA?”.

The Sky Was Falling, And It Still Is

Posted by on October 21, 2011 2 comments

The sky was falling. Shahik had brought home a virus. I got sick, Arthur got sick, our friends caught it and Shahik was getting worse. After two days of no eating, little drinking, sleepless nights and no playing- mother’s instincts took us to the hospital. 

He was admitted to the ICU and was put on an IV immediately. I put him in his doctor’s outfit so he could feel like he was part of the healing team. We spent 5 days in the ICU before the virus was done wrecking havoc on my sweet four year old.

There were many scary tests that took place- and waiting for the answers was without words the most heart wrenching experience of our lives. In those days, we imagined the worse- sobbed and lived out nightmares in our head about our son’s health. Watching the other children in the ICU was devastating- especially Alik who was our neighbor- he did not have the resources, support and devotion that Shahik had. Even though we helped, I knew in my heart it was temporary relief and that he would be left without a long term advocate. Shahik continued to be weak and the healing was taking longer than my ability to keep my sanity.

Then the test results brought smiles and relief for us. The biggest smile came when I saw Shahik return to his normal self- his funny impressions of his grandparents and his cute gestures came back with his health and brought Arthur and I back to life. We were blessed and we were lucky. The sky was no longer falling for us.

But it still is for many of Armenia’s parents. Children’s health care is a major issue as is providing children a healthy environment and healthy choices. This was one more experience to push me towards advocating for children’s health. As the recipient of such a blessing, I feel it is our duty as parents to help create a healthier environment for all of our children. I have been delivering health care relief for almost a decade in Armenia- but it is never enough and our children still suffer- we need to do more- we need to do much much more.

Let’s discuss how…

I'm back

Posted by on October 13, 2011 1 comment

It’s incredible- 10 years later- here we are team. Armenia changes every minute, every day… always something new and exciting and always something hard to swallow and difficult to overcome and crucially important to defeat. I look forward to being part of the crew that will share the tales of life in Armenia with all of you.

As for today, Shahik (my little one- aged 4) has a horrible case of the stomach flu. It is comforting to know that we have a tremendous support system to help him… including: great doctor friends, a wonderful and caring nanny, understanding colleagues and an extended family that turns into an army when needed.