Our One in 147 Million...The Hero Among Us....

November is National Adoption Month.
Why national? I have no idea. Seems to me, it should be "International"...
147 million.
Say it over and over.
The number of children who are not tucked in at night, consistently given a loving touch while eating a warm meal, given an opportunity at life, no one telling them how special they are, or how happy they are to be in their lives, or how proud they are of them because of their abilities, and learning about the world as they are supported like little treasures by parents who adore them.
We "do" adoption every day, my "family" at work and I. Everyday, I am greeted with little faces from all around the world - waiting, just waiting. And, I know, as I lavish our treasure with love and kisses, structure and attachment based parenting, that he has friends who are still waiting...
And, it breaks my heart. Now, more than ever. How can we possibly explain this to our son?

How can I help him understand that, while we are surrounded by entitlement and overindulgence in our society, that there are 143 - 147 million other children out there, who deserve parents. And are waiting --- hungry, sad, tired, and trying to find hope from deep within because no one is showing them they way.

Across history, adoption has had it's different challenges -- right now, children sit eons away from anxiously awaiting families -- with mounds of paperwork, hope, tears, and politics separating them... In 2007, 22, 000 Visas were issued to children being adopted. In 2008, that number dropped to 17,000. It is estimated that 2009 will be somewhere around 12,000. It is not that there are no children. It is not that other countries have solved their child welfare challenges -- and it is not to say that the US has none nor solved their issues, either. Policies aimed at reducing corruption have lead to countries shutting down, slowing down, and fewer children and families coming together. But, the children are there. Waiting. How can we explain that to our son?
If you have time, check out:
Babies with Bubbly Toes
Umbrella Babies
Charity Organization on Orphan Crisis
Forgotten Voices

I find it interesting that November is also Veteran's day --- a month with a day that celebrates heros.... To me, children who survive hunger, rotating caregivers, constant loss and separation, chronic stress, etc.... they, too, are heros. They have survived jungles called orphanages or neglectful or abusive homes and are now trying to find their way in foster care.... and even in the "best" of orphanages, what they see, live, experience...and all that happens behind those doors... is traumatic. Even leaving a baby home to go with new parents, while best in the long run, is traumatic and requires stamina & resilience no different than a war hero.... Our son came from an incredibly good baby home, where it was clear he was loved, but he was still 1 of 9 children with rotating caregivers, a different culture, different food, different everything. And, even knowing what we know, the transition while overall incredible, has not been without it's own set of tears, what ifs, and an amazing challenge for our LM... We've all worked hard, but he most of all.... Adoption isn't for everyone -- but supporting permanency, love, and a right to a hopeful future for every child should be everyone's goal. At least that is my skewed view of the world.

In our almost 6 months together, more people have asked me "why adoption?" then ever in my life. And yet, for as long as I can remember, adoption was always a part of who I was, who I wanted to be, and long before life would carry us further into that direction for many other reasons....But, I challenge you to think -- Why not adoption? Loving children and being loved by children who have a resiliency and spirit that most adults in the US could only aspire to have. So, here we are, celebrating adoption month after finally having the joy of our little spirit home with us -- It is truly living the beginnings of the dream. But please, don't ask jeff how many more just yet -- we are still in negotiations!! LOL

And so, in this month celebrating adoption, we continue in our celebration of our little treasure... and pray for those still waiting -- parents and children alike -- that the world parts, finds time to fix the challenges, and brings the world to a number that is a whole lot lower than 147 million by the time the "next" adoption month rolls around. And, meanwhile, I challenge you to think -- adoption day -- every day. Because the children are waiting.

First Pile of Leaves!!

"Thank you Papa for making it for me!! I love you!" LM

Clowning Around

Gamma & LM at the local library where a clown was performing -- he was fascinated!! He went up to pet her little bunny but wouldn't sit on her lap like all the other kids and clung to my hand... It was a moment to remember for sure..."It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" ... Our Hero...Home 23 Weeks!!!

"We think that poverty is only being hungry, naked, or homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty"... Mother Teresa