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Adoption - Making a Difference in a Child's Life!

About 15 years ago I made the decision toOver the years, I have seen my adopted son
become a foster parent-to make a differencegrow and develop into a loving, caring
in a child's life. Was it what I expected?husband, great father and really kind person
Well, not exactly! What I expected was aof whom I am very proud. Having an adopted
grateful kid, happy to be in a nice home awayson that I've grown to love, appreciate and
from the abuse and problems that brought himgreatly respect has allowed me to weather
into care - the perfect kid. What I got,many of the subsequent storms that fostering
however, was an angry, not terriblydifficult teens has provided me with. Now
appreciative child who was quite difficult towhen things get really difficult I always
work with. Did he trust me? No! Did he listenthink back to the time I almost gave up on
to me? Not always. But with patience and theMike. I am indeed grateful that I hung in
passing of time we were able to work throughlong enough to reap the rewards of adoption
problems, develop a relationship and anand  share  in  his  successes.
appreciation for each other. And, that wasn't
all  that  bad.One of these, my grandson, age three is at
least in my eyes the cutest, brightest kid in
In retrospect, I guess I made my share ofthe entire state - I'm taking some of the
parenting mistakes. But, I looked for thecredit! After all, my adopted son must have
good in him, had a lot of patience and hunglistened and picked up some of my values,
in there. Many years ago after the adoptionright?
finalized, I received a Birthday Day Card
that said, "Dear Dad, I am at a loss forYes, Mike did put me through the paces in the
words so I picked a card that said how Iearly years, but you have to pay your dues to
feel. I want you to know that I will alwaysget that "expected perfect kid". And, isn't
be grateful for everything you have done forthat  what  parenting  is  all  about?
me- adoption aside. You are a very special
person  who  was  always  there  for  me!Adoption - Making a Difference in a Child's
Life! Explore adoption & find out if adoption
Happy  Birthday,  Love,  your  son,  Mike."is right for you?



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