Let us give thanks for adoption angels everywhere.
(And no, we’re not referring to the paid professionals who boldly pronounce themselves “adoption angels” for the work they do, nor for those who win congressional awards in Washington, D.C.) We’re talking about those who truly support Abrazo’s cause of fully open adoption because they know it has the power to transform children’s lives.
When you spend years working in adoption, you learn folks can have very mixed emotions about adoption, and it’s not always easy to predict who’s who, upfront. There are people with very negative feelings (and with good reason, sometimes.) Adoptees or birthparents (or even adoptive parents) may harbor feelings of anger or resentment towards the process or the professionals involved. Sometimes, even doctors, nurses or hospital social workers act as saboteurs, for reasons known only to them. The public likewise may misunderstand (or harshly judge) those who give a baby up for adoption (place) as well as those who seek to adopt.
Encounters with those who aren’t supportive of adoption that make experiences with them that are even more precious. The random people who go out of their way to support those whose lives are impacted by adoption in a positive way are unsung heroes. They rarely get credit for the quiet things they do to support those we know and care about, but they truly deserve heartfelt accolades.
This is Abrazo’s ode for adoption angels everywhere, especially those with dented wings.
Still Soaring: Angels in Flight
Consider this a tribute to friends like Fallon, who placed a baby boy for adoption here long ago. She’d be the first to tell you that while some of her life choices have not been wise ones, that one surely was. She’s so stinkin’ proud of that kid! And she’s forever grateful to her son’s adoptive parents for their continued commitment to their open adoption promises. For all the ups and downs of her life since that placement, that family and this agency have been the one constant on which she knows she can always turn for encouragement and affirmation. It’s something she’s paid forward, too, having helped to guide several of her friends in similar crises towards open adoption. Lives have truly been changed for the better, because of her. We hope she knows how special she is to so many.
Misty is another such angel. She doesn’t always have a place of her own, but when she does, her door is always open to other young women in need. She has a special place in her heart for expectant moms because she knows firsthand what a vulnerable time that is for girls with nowhere to stay. She’s struggled with addiction, too, but she loves with her whole heart. And she wholeheartedly loves the children she placed for adoption and the parents she placed with. They rarely hear from her when she’s not proud of herself, because she only wants them to be proud of her. She is, however, forever committed to her kids and we appreciate that their parents are also angels who make sure they are growing up knowing the very best of who she is.
Abrazo is blessed to have built relationships with many Fallons and Mistys (and Roses and Christinas and Sams and others over the years.) They’re angels to us because they have used their own difficult circumstances to help others’ get better. We’re reminded of them, when we recall Mister Roger’s mother’s advice about looking for the helpers in times of trouble.
Good Deeds, Well-Done
We’re fortunate to have a small army of helpers, from adoptees to birthparents to adoptive parents and extended relatives. They consider adoption to be a life raft worth offering others in times of urgent need. They may never know the full impact of their efforts, but we often witness the effects of it, over the years.
Another angel made a small miracle possible here this summer. He is the doting grandpa of three Abrazokids, living in the Midwest. When his dear wife succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in a nursing facility, he gifted our Angel Account with the means to establish the Louise Sheyker Memorial, which will enable us to keep serving those in need in our community, in her memory. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
These are only a few of the adoption angels for whom we are so appreciative. In 27.5 years, we’ve been humbled by the many acts of random kindness we’ve seen. There are hospital employees and motel workers and cabdrivers and law office employees and so many folks who have done and said things that lightened the load in various ways for our parents and families. There are counselors and social workers and plenty of others that have gone out of their way to help us brighten the path for our adoptees.
If you’re one of them, you probably know it… consider this a heartfelt thank you note from us.
Today and always, we are grateful for adoption angels everywhere through the Abrazo community.
