This week, I received a very special package.
It's funny, because I'm actually not all that emotional of a birthmom. Sometimes I feel like I should be more sentimental. It was different right after placement. For awhile, I had pictures of my son all over my room, I slept with the quilt his parents made for a placement gift, and I frequently looked through photos I had of him. I don't really do those things anymore. It's not because I don't love him, it's just because I moved forward with my life and my adoption experience is no longer all-encompassing.
However, when I received this package in the mail, I was feeling VERY emotional for a while, in a wonderful, wonderful way.
I received a packet of Ian's arts and crafts from his preschool classes. Pictures he had drawn or colored, little paper crafts. And on almost every single one there's a post-it note, with a transcription of Ian's words explaining the pictures. Telling me he likes this dinosaur's long neck, or this is a dog with a pointy head.
I felt like a mom. Or maybe a proud aunt. I dunno. I've never gotten anything quite like this before, and it changed my perspective just a little bit. Suddenly it was okay for me to feel like that, to want to put my birthson's drawings up on the fridge (I refrained, for the sake of my roommates), to show off his accomplishments, to show off HIM. It was all I could do not to parade around with his pictures and pictures of HIM. I was overwhelmed with adoption-birthmom-love.
The pictures are sitting on my desk at home. Everytime I walk past that little stack, I smile. This was seriously one of the best presents I've ever gotten. I love being a birthmom!
Funny you post this now. I just got an email from Woob's preschool teacher outlining a very busy day of special activities tomorrow and it occurred to me that N. might be interested to know the everyday workings of what he does and what his teachers are like. I thought very seriously about forwarding the email but thought she might think I was weird or something ;)
ReplyDeleteHello...I love your story!! I am writing a book! It will be a collection of true stories. All about the wonderful gift of adoption. I would love to hear your story if you are:
ReplyDelete* Birth mother * Adoptee * Adoptive parent please email me your story. If you would like to remain anonymous that is up to you. Depending on how many stories I get, your story might be edited for space. If there is a large amount I will do more then one book. We will see. I am doing this for the one young girl who feels like no one has ever been in her shoes. Who feels like she has no options. Maybe if she reads my story or yours she will know what a blessing adoption is!! So pread the word...Let everyone who has been touched by adoption that this is their chance to be heard and to share their amazing story!!! email me at jorireid@hotmail.com