I was adopted as an infant in 1959 in a closed adoption. The standard practice back then was to match the baby, as much as possible, with they physical characteristics of the adoptive parents. The fact that I was adopted was not freely talked about outside of our family and so it wasn’t uncommon for people to comment on how much I resembled my parents – especially my mother. As much as I loved my parents and yearned to be part of them, it bothered me when this happened and no one stepped up to set the record straight.
I was also one of the chosen ones. Does that sound somewhat prideful to you? It did to me too. There was a little book called The Chosen Baby that parents were encouraged to use as a tool to explain adoption. The story was meant to make the adopted child feel special, but I already felt loved and special and never believed that silly story to be the truth. I didn’t realize that the story was from a book until as an adult I ready Betty Jean Lifton’s Lost and Found: The Adoption Experience. I was stunned to think that parents were encouraged to lie to their children about the circumstances of how they joined the family. Wouldn’t the truth have been better?
Physical characteristics and a silly story did not make me part of my adoptive family. What made me part of my adoptive family was pure and simple love.
Truth is always best and the sooner it begins the better. The discussion about being adopted needs to happen from the beginning. Truth lays the foundation for the questions and dialogue that will surely follow.
We’ve never used “chosen,” because it is false. We have used “destiny.” ; )
Great questions, Linda!
Judy
The International Mom
What a great new site. I am not adopted but will return to read your wonderful posts.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story. I don’t know why but I was really drawn to you and your blogs. You have such a way of writing and speaking. You gave me hope and really touched me today. Thank you.
BETH
http://WWW.JUSTINBETH.COM
http://WWW.JUSTINBETH.WORDPRESS.COM