10 years ago when I dreamed of being a mother I could never have imagined how my life would turn out. I could never have imagined the sleep deprivation, fatigue and heartache that comes with being a mom but I also also could have never imagined the joy, love and fun that comes with it. So where am I going with this, you ask?
National Adoption Day is today - a day when we celebrate the blessings of adoption in our lives and our families. No one is more blessed by adoption than our family. First we have my and Bob's childhoods - enhanced by the fosterchildren who came to live with us and blessed by the one who never left - my brother Ed. I never liked Ed when I was a teenager. Anything that took attention from myself and my angst was an unwelcome visitor in my family. But Ed kept coming back despite my petty insults and attempts at making his life miserable. Today I am so grateful for Ed and have such an appreciation for the gift that Ed is in our lives.
And then came kids - all in their own way and at the perfect time. Peter, Molly, Annie, Lizzie and Ellie, each one different, each one perfect, each one ours! We call what we have a "Forever Family" as a way to make it clear to the kids that this is, indeed, FOREVER. There are hard parts that come with adoption - questions that are confusing, statements from others that are hurtful and even some frustrating emotional battles to fight. Most of all adoption is simply one part of what makes our family unique and special.
Molly loves to talk about ANYTHING, but adoption is one of her favorite topics. She decided that instead of blogging she wanted me to do an interview with her like she was a celebrity. So here it is!Mommy - How old were you when you were adopted?
Molly - (with a giggle) right when I was born, silly!
Mom - DO you know anyone else who was adopted?
Mol - Umm - my older brother, Peter, my younger sister, Ellie, my friend at school - AJ, and Uncle Ed sort of.
Mom - Do you like being adopted?
Mol - Of course, I do!
Mom - What are the best parts of being adopted?
Mol - My forever family because we spend time together and go on trips and there are lots of people to play with - plus they will never bail on me.
Mom - What are the best parts of being in your "forever Family"?
Mol - I'm alive, my Mama's pasta and meatballs and my school and my family.
Mom - Are there any hard parts to being adopted?
Mol - I can't have a cell phone.
Mom - IS that because you are adopted or because you are 7?
Mol - Because I'm 7 but it was worth a try.
Mom - Do you ever have question about adoption?
Mol - Can we go back to the other question about hard parts - Babies screaming is defintely a hard part. What was the next question?
Mom - Questions about adoption?
Mols - Who invented adoption? Why did Mama adopt me and Peter and Ellie?
Mom - Why do you think Mama adopted you?
Mol - Because God knew I was meant to be your (I mean, Mama's) baby and you loved us?
Mom - Absolutely - sometimes God knows better than us what the plan is and if we go with it then things turn out perfectly.
Mol - You also thought I was cute and could be helpful if you had more babies right?
Mom - What would you tell other children who are getting adopted when they are older and might be nervous?
Mol - I would tell them that adoption is fun and you get good meals and people are there for you - like your mom and dad and aunts and uncles and grammy and papa.
Mom- Do you think you might adopt someday?
Mol - Yeah, of course. I want to have lots of babies like my Mama!
Mom - Is there anything else you want to say about adoption?
Mol - Just because kids are the same color as their mom does not mean they are not adopted. I get sort of mad because everyone asks Peter if he is adopted but no one ever asks me - maybe because I look like my Mama. People should not assume things because of how you look right?
The interviewer then wraps the celebrity up in a huge hug and they decide to make some popcorn.
Happy Adoption Day! GNM - ILY!
