When we chose adoption I thought I grasped how challenging it would be.
I read everything I could find on the subject. I talked to friends who’d adopted. I spoke with adult- friends who had been adopted. I joined groups both online and off.
As she grew, I made certain our daughter had a circle of friends who were adopted and many from precisely where she was born.
Without sharing a story that isn’t mine to tell, I had absolutely no idea how complicated adoption would be.
It isn’t for all children.
It is for ours.
And yet, as with all things parenthood, it’s she who can sometimes surprise me and remind me it’s not complicated at all.
She’s a child. I’m her mother.
And, thanks to nurture (and our being Frick & Frack when she was little), we do share many traits in common.
She recently made this collage-picture and marveled aloud how alike we are.
“You’re 10 here. I’m 10. We both love Gilmore Girls. We both like nurturing and helping other people. We’re the same.”
We’re the same.
Adoption, one family’s profound loss being anothers life-altering gain, can feel weighty and exhaustively complex.
Adoption, viewed through the eyes of 10 seeking similarities not differences, really can be a as simple as that: Gilmore Girls, helping, nurturing.
Happy National Adoption Month.
<3
Angela @ happy fit mama says
November 14, 2016 at 4:45 amThis is beautiful. #thatisall
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
November 14, 2016 at 5:14 amLove is love. Parental love is parental love. <3
Lucie says
November 14, 2016 at 5:28 amYou two do look similar!Always heart warming to read!
messymimi says
November 14, 2016 at 6:22 amAdoption is a beautiful thing, and family is the people you choose to love and make your family.
Andrea Bates says
November 14, 2016 at 6:41 amI love this so.
I also love – omg – how adorable and alike you both are.
Thank you for sharing. xo
Valerie says
November 14, 2016 at 6:51 am<3 <3
MCM Mama Runs says
November 14, 2016 at 6:56 amLove this. She hit it exactly right.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
November 14, 2016 at 8:00 amThis.
Beth Ann Chiles says
November 14, 2016 at 8:56 amPerfect. Absolutely perfect. And yes–you are so alike! Very cool.
Jody - Fit at 58 says
November 14, 2016 at 8:57 amLOVE!!! In all that is going on right now. love this although will he let us adopt from other countries…
Theodora says
November 14, 2016 at 9:22 amThis gave me the chills reading it <3
Haralee says
November 14, 2016 at 9:29 amYou are both lucky to have come into each other’s lives! My BFF(since we were 5) growing up is adopted. This has given me a first hand look at the role of the adopted child. It really does sum up to love. She always felt she was the love of her Mother’s life!
Nancy Fox says
November 14, 2016 at 10:04 amSuch a heartwarming post, Carla. Your daughter is clearly loved and lovely!
Myra says
November 14, 2016 at 10:33 amLately, my daughter and I have been finding how alike we are in so many ways. Nurture has made it that way. I’ve worried for years about how adoption would affect her, and when questions would come. She says simply to me,”that’s just the way it is.” She is 19, and clinging to childhood for dear life. I am too, but I can’t let on.
Estelle says
November 14, 2016 at 11:00 amA lovely and loving post. You are alike in love.
Coco says
November 14, 2016 at 8:52 pmI know you are a good friend. I bet she is too. <3
Fat to Fit Diet says
November 20, 2016 at 6:45 pmCuteness overloaded in both pictures 🙂