Kob Khun Ka

In adoption, we have fewer people who understand the steps we go through. Truly. understand. A much bigger population of people share the pregnancy experience.

We have miscarriages that involve pictures, video and child history's. Our hearts break the same.

We have 9 months (or typically more) of waiting with nothing to "tell" the world we are expecting. Very little to make it real for ourselves, let alone anyone else.

We have paper pains....not labor pains. THE WHOLE TIME!! Before our child is even "conceived"!

Our child is in some other person's care, half a world away. And there is nothing we can do for them or to impact when they come home. (Except pray!)

For a portion of us, this all comes after infertility, secondary infertility and the many losses suffered during that time period.

It comes with friends and family more than likely sharing their opinions on your choices. The well meaning aunties telling us we just don't "do it" enough or other even more awkward references to the things that happen in the privacy of your bedroom!! To others who question why international, older child and "don't you want your own".

All of this to say, it is so wonderful to be connected with a group of women (and men) who truly understand. It is such a blessing to have the internet as a resource to share with others who are just like us. We may not all have the same political, religious or moral views yet we are able to share the one thing we do have in common.

The love of our children--given to us in a unique way.

I LOVE the adoption process. Yes, I do wish parts of it were different. But it is a complete high for me. Whether it be mine or someone else's. I love to be a part of it. I love to share what I have learned and learn something from someone else. I especially love the knowledge that yet another orphaned child will have a FAMILY. Family is one of Jet's most favorite words. He gets it. Really he gets what so many people in our society don't. A most fundamental basic need and how important it is to one's development.

Family is one of my favorite words too.

Kob Khun Ka for allowing me to be a part of your family and for sharing in my family's joy!