“Our” two Afghan families, with 15 wonderful kids, left our retreat center last week for interim housing in Bolton, prior to the hoped-for June move-in to the Bromfield House.
I am verklempt.
And I am glad that we, unexpectedly, had the physical space and time to accommodate them at Friendly Crossways, which is our family business and also my childhood home. However, because of business stressors, I wasn’t sure I had enough emotional space in my heart to welcome 21 folks who had left everything and everyone behind and suffered unknown trauma. But the family members made it remarkably easy with their smiles, grace under pressure, and joyful energy. My husband is now Kaka (Uncle) Keith and I am Halla (Auntie) Mary.
If it takes a village to raise a child, it must take a metropolis to raise 15 children. Harvard has stepped up! The four families wouldn’t be here without the Ascentria/Harvard Neighborhood Support Team led by Terry Symula. Among the NST volunteers providing services are Michelle Riley: daily needs of clothing, toys, toiletries, kitchenware, and bedding; Sharon Cronin: navigating various bureaucracies, including banks, MassHealth, and the feds; Ann Taylor and Davida Bagatelle: English lessons for the parents; Sharon Shepela, Pam Durrant, and Jane Venditti: food shopping and laundry; Julie Snyder and Bob Thurston: tutoring biology and physics; Shawn Murphy: job search; Sarah Saleh: transport to the Worcester mosque; and Steve Franzeim: drivers’ education.
I am grateful for Superintendent Linda Dwight and the Harvard school teachers and administrators who are helping the kids to thrive. I guess teenage boy metabolism is the same worldwide: They wore short-sleeved shirts and sandals to school in the winter and spent hours on their devices. The teenage girls cleaned, watched their younger siblings, and dreamed of becoming doctors. The middle children, seeking attention, acted out. The toddlers were sweet and fearless. The moms shared their spicy foods with us and laughed when they mistakenly confused “kitchen” for “chicken.” The dads were desperate to work and thankfully have job interviews.
I miss our families already.
Mary Helan Turner, chef-owner
Friendly Crossways Retreat Center
