Sunday, November 8, 2009

November ~ National Adoption Awareness Month

I've written quite a bit about adoption on my blog. In honor of November being National Adoption Awareness month, I asked my husband Dan to share some of his thoughts. I'll be writing myself about adoption later in the month.

I've always loved children and children have always loved me. I assumed when I got married I would have a dozen of them. As life progressed, I was never blessed with biological offspring. I was able to be a father to Nick (Gail's biological son) and being a parent is the greatest joy you can ever have. When Gail suggested we take a look at adoption I was cautious and curious. It is a leap of faith to give your heart away and the risk of pain is real. You don't know what your child will be like, if they are truly healthy or if they will even like you but the same could be said of biological children. I thought of the handful of people that I knew who were adopted and the few people who I knew that had tried to adopt. The mixture of experiences was no different than a sampling of any collection of lives. With raising Nick and having to share him with his biological father, I preferred a different approach for our next child. The foreign adoption route felt like the best one. First came Grace and then William. If I could have picked them out in a store or made them myself, I couldn't have gotten better children than the ones I have. All three of them are unique, fun, special and sweet. My life has been enriched forever. I never dreamed that a road I never knew could take me to such a joyous place.


Adoption is often considered as a final option after several attempts have been made to have biological children. Sometimes it's the only choice that can be made after the child bearing years have passed. Occasionally, it's the preferred choice in place of having biological children. Whatever the reason, it is a beautiful process. To give a child a family when they have none is a true blessing for all involved. Yes, there are times that are challenging but that is true for any child in any family. Children should be loved and be able to love others. They need a solid foundation of trust, acceptance and unconditional love.


There are times that I feel sorry for my children's biological parents because I'm getting all the delight that they could have had. I thank these people for giving my children life and I promise them that I will give their children a chance for a great life. At times I feel sorry for my children because they will have questions about who they are and how they came to live with us that I will never be able to answer. All I can do is take them in my arms and love them...unconditionally.







17 kind words:

Kim said...

LOVE this post...
Have a great week..
GREAT WORDS...
Hugs..
Have a great week..

Jill said...

Elequently spoken!
Thanks for your hubby's perspective!

Life with JJ, Starr and Spice said...

I really enjoyed your perspective Dan. You touched on so many of the feelings that I have about my children. You and Gail are as blessed as are Marc and I...wow are we the lucky ones!!

More great photos SFAM!! You blow me away!

Casey said...

LOVE THIS POST. What a heart-warming perspective on parenting and what AMAZING photos of two beautiful children.

All of your children are blessed... and you are blessed in return.

Dita said...

Incredibly well said, Dan. How beautiful your thoughts and words interspersed amongst the gorgeous images Gail has taken of your precious children.

I never REALLY thought about it until I was blessed with the arrival of my son over a decade ago...but since that glorious day I have come to truly understand that biology does not make a family...love does.

Adoption is truly a GIFT.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us in celebration of this month!

Marla said...

Beautiful post Dan! And absolutely stunning pictures Gail. Can't wait to meet you in a few days!

Tanya said...

Beautiful, just beautiful! As a mom to children who were adopted also, your words capture the experience well. Thanks for sharing. And, of course, gorgeous photos!!

Jboo said...

What a great post -- thanks for having Dan share his perspective!

And wow -- the photos are gorgeous!

Janet

Gavin's Family said...

What a wonderful way to put it as we think of adoption more so this month.
I appreciated Dan's point of view about all his children.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What a wonderfully written post....spoken straight from the heart:) Dan's beautiful words accompanied by your gorgeous photos.......perfect in every way!!

Adoption has not only brought us the miracle of our children, but the common bond amongst us that has formed many precious friendships. I am thankful for adoption on so many levels:)

I am dying for Friday to get here.....only a few more days and I will be face to face with some of the incredible women I have met through this adoption community!!

xo,

Lisa

Steffie B. said...

Love this post Gail.....and the pictures are fantastic.... ;) See you in just a few short days! ;)

kerri said...

Wonderful post Dan, thank you for sharing with us.
I am so thankful for adoption and our blessings, it has made my heart whole and full of love.

Robin said...

That is SO sweet... well said!! Beautiful pictures Gail. I love the fall colors.

Robin

Kayce said...

Beautiful written! Thank you for sharing this with all of us! Your family is just beautiful!!

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

This is a beautiful post...I love it. Straight from the heart. : )

Karen said...

So beautifully said!
And the photos are exquisite, (as always!)

Michelle R Photography said...

Beautifully written!! How fun to hear from your husband on this!

Beautiful images of your adoption blessings, too!!

 
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