| Are you hoping to expand your family by adding a | | | | through the somtimes awful process of adoption |
| child or children to your home? If so, then you are | | | | when they could get pregnant on their own? And |
| probably busy considering all of your options for | | | | why, more importantly, would they put themselves |
| becoming a parent. Of course, there is the option of | | | | through all of the emotional trauma that comes with |
| having your own biological children, which most people | | | | adoption when they could just have their own kids? |
| go for, but then there is also the option of adoption. | | | | Kate laughed and then began to explain the process |
| Quite honestly, I had never seriously considered the | | | | that she and Mike went through in deciding on |
| option of adoption until quite recently. I have been | | | | adoption. She explained to me that they simply have |
| married for many years and have had no problems | | | | become overwhelmed with the amount of need in |
| getting pregnant, and I always just assumed that | | | | the world and they have determined that adoption is |
| adoption was only for people who had trouble having | | | | one small but significant way that they can contribute |
| biological children of their own. I am so grateful that | | | | to making the world a better place. Kate and Mike |
| my perspective was expanded recently by a friend. | | | | believe that everyone has a role to play in making |
| I guess it was ignorance that led me to believe that | | | | the world better, and for them, they are committed |
| adoption was only a backup plan for couples who | | | | to adoption. They are committed to taking children |
| were trying to have a family. Perhaps because I | | | | into their homes that might otherwise bounce from |
| didn't know anyone who had gone through an | | | | home to home in the foster care system and never |
| adoption for a child simply because they felt like they | | | | actually be adopted. |
| wanted to. That is, until I met my friend Kate. | | | | If you are looking for a way to do something great |
| Kate and her husband have been married for several | | | | for a child, for your family, and for the world, |
| years. They are able, as far as they know, to parent | | | | consider adoption. Of course, it is a much more |
| biological children, yet they have decided instead to | | | | complex issue than I can discuss here. Do some |
| go with adoption for building their family. As Kate told | | | | research, talk with your spouse and anyone you |
| me this over coffee one day, I couldn't help but stop | | | | know that has gone through the adoption process. |
| her and ask why. Why would she and Mike go | | | | |