As a foster-adoptive mom, I “Sliding Doors” my kids a lot. Do you remember that Gwyneth Paltrow movie from 1998 (which is now almost thirty years ago somehow)? In the movie, you see different versions of how the main character’s life turns out all depending on whether she catches the train on a certain day or not. In my head, I see different versions of my kids’ life based on whether they got removed from the abuse and neglect they experienced or not. What would have happened to them if they’d never been placed in a safe and stable home? As you probably know, the likely outcomes for kids who have been in foster care are, to put it mildly, not good. The longer a child stays in foster care and the more changes of placement they experience during that time, the greater the likelihood that they will experience incarceration, drug or alcohol addiction, and significant mental illness during their lifetime.
When I have those “Sliding Doors” moments of imagining another life for my kids, I picture my precious little children living in fear of domestic violence, underfed, struggling in school with no one to help them, lashing out because of their pain and ending up suspended, expelled or even arrested. I picture them lonely and sad. I know what it looks like when they’re sad, the way they seek comfort from me as their mom and the relief that shows in their bodies and faces when they feel safe again. The idea that they would feel afraid but not have a parent who is able to keep them safe or feel hungry and not have enough to eat is heartbreaking.
That’s one of the reasons why supporting Basha is so meaningful for me. The work that the artisans at Basha do provides them with a stable, safe, and dignified way to support their families. The holistic care that they receive gives them and their kids a safe place to live, adequate and nutritious food, health care, mental health care, and support for their education. These women can have their own “Sliding Doors” moments, imagining their lives and their kids’ with and without the blessing of working for Basha. Buying products from Basha supports these women and their children.
When our oldest son was little, we wrapped him in a Basha kantha often when we took him for walks in his stroller. He liked it because of its bright colorful print and how he felt warm and cozy when we tucked it around him. I liked it for those reasons, but also because it represents the change possible in the lives of young children when they’re given an opportunity to live with safety, stability, and nurture. Working at Basha allows the women to offer this to their kids in ways they couldn’t before. That’s an amazingly powerful thing. The women who make the Basha products put a lot of love and care into their work. And, out of a conviction of their innate dignity and value as people, Basha puts a lot of love and care into its work with them. I’m grateful to be able to support them by buying and using their beautiful textiles for my family.