Building a Family Through Adoption

It is a natural desire to wish to pro-create. Every living thing on earth replicates and creates young, whether it is a bird or a blade of grass. It is also natural to want to protect those who are already here.

I once heard a woman say that adoption was unnatural. She was quite vehement, even hysterical in her statement. Since she voiced her opinion on a popular talk show, I was unable to rebut her declaration. How, I thought to myself, could bringing a child into your home be considered abnormal?

Most of us have seen pictures or heard stories of a farm pig that suckles an orphaned kitten, or the dog that allows an abandoned baby squirrel to suck. Then there is the female elephant who, upon the death of a mother, will take the dead mother's calf to herself to nurse and raise. Adoption is a completely natural part of life and exists throughout the animal kingdom.

Some of us are not able to conceive or to give birth, or perhaps we have concentrated on a career and somehow never got around to starting a family. The desire for children is strong, which is also a natural state of being. So, it would only be normal to open one's arms and home to a child in need of a family.

I once had a friend say to me that she was afraid to adopt because she felt that the child would not be like her own because she did not carry it. I paused for a second and then replied, "I feel very sorry for your husband, then." She looked at me with surprise and asked, "Why?" "Well," I answered, "he did not carry your daughter. He did not feel her growing inside of his body. So, I guess she must not feel like his child." She understood.

The moment you hold your child in your arms, it doesn't matter if you gave birth or not. What matters is that here is a new life, which is dependent upon you to survive. Here is a sweet baby, which will look to you for the rest of his or her life for love, guidance, support. Here truly is your child.

Many people want to adopt, but feel that they can't afford it. There are children languishing in foster homes or orphanages praying, yearning for a family, for a home. Some of them are considered special needs because they either have a physical problem, like my son who was born with cleft lip and palate, or are part of a sibling group, or are of mixed race or are older. Most states do not charge any fees for the adoption of these very special children. If therapies or surgeries are needed, the county will usually pay for them.

So, if you've spent all of your youth climbing that corporate ladder and don't have time for an infant, or you have a good home, but not enough money to cover adoption fees, special needs adoption is a perfect way to build a loving, close family.

Whether you choose domestic, international or special needs adoption, be prepared for the greatest love of your life!