Continued from last page...

Heather, age 10, "Me and My Brother"
Lilly, age 10, "Does it feel strange being adopted?"
Kathryn, age 14, "All about Me!"
Kathryn, age 14 "When I am feeling sad...l"
Brandon, age 9 "Mommy says I'm special"
Brianna, age 11 "In a loving family"
Rebecca, age 13 "I don't know where I would be today"
Carrie, age 11 "I love being adopted"
Porche, age 11 "Many people who love me"
Bessie, age 9 "I like being adopted"
Falika, age 13 "Living in an adopted family"
Lauren, age 11 "Adoption is an Adventure"
Jenn, age 14 "Trying to figure me out"

Me And My Brother
by Heather, Age 10
Hi my name is Heather Me and my Brother are both adopted!

We are from Different Birthmoms but look exactly like each other! We both look like my dad. I was there when my Brother was born, I got to meet his birthmom and birthdad. I was the first one to hold him [after his birthmom and dad of course].

I am SO happy that I am adopted because if I wasn't adopted I would not have the wonderful family that I have now! And I wouldn't have my brother either.
I LOVE BEING ADOPTED!!!!!!!!

Does it feel strange being adopted?
by Lilly, Georgia USA, Age 10
When someone asks me tons of annoying questions like the one I titled in my writing I usually say: "No, it feels no different then being human. By the way are you writing a biography of me or something because your asking me tons of questions."

All about Me!
by Kathryn, age 14
I was born in the Country of Romania. When I was 9 months, my birthmother gave me up for adoption. I was put into a foster family for a couple of months till I found a family. When I was about 15 months, I was finally adopted and I met my family in America. I love my family so much! I feel like I have been with them always. It is really funny, because even though I am adopted, my family and I all look and act the same! I cannot imagine being with another family! Even though I miss my birthfamily, I am glad I am adopted! My life is so much more better! I like telling people I am from Romania, and I am proud of it!

Kathryn, age 14
My Writing: When I am feeling sad or left out being adopted, I just look on the bright side. If I weren't adopted, I wouldn't have a great family, the friends I have, or anything else. I also think that I am important, because my parents choose me, they wanted me! :)

THE "G" CHILDREN'S THOUGHTS ON ADOPTION

Brandon, age 9
I don't know too much about adoption. I know my mom says I am adopted. I think adoption is great because I have a great mom and dad who are good to me. My mommy told me I was born to someone else in Ohio. I came to my mom and dad at 9-and-a half months old as a foster child and never left. My sister Brianna came with me when Brianna was 30-months-old. I love all the kids who come and stay with us. We still do foster care at our house. My doctor said I am autistic. Mommy says I'm special. She and daddy picked me, Becca and Brianna from all the foster children they had. Not everyone can pick their children. The doctor tells me I'm doing very well. They did not think I would talk, but I do. I heard mommy say I'm her bowl of soup. I asked what that means. She said it makes me special. So when asked about adoption, I guess I will tell you it is special.

Brianna, age 11
I don 't understand adoption yet. All I know is that I'm in a loving family who I know as my family.

Rebecca, age 13
One year later, Crystal came, and a year after that my brother, Frank. My parents did not adopt them, but we are family. I also have three other brothers. My mom helps me keep in touch with one, but we do not know the whereabouts of the other two. I am happy my parents keep me involved with my birth siblings. My adopted sister and brother do not have that choice. I don't know where I would be today if not for adoption. My parents adopted me when I was two. I came into foster care at three months old. I was placed with my oldest sibling, Crystal, nine, and we were together until I was fifteen months old. Then I was moved to my parents' home.

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THE "M" FAMILY.... A Love Story

Carrie, age 11
I love being adopted. When I was first told that I was going to be adopted, I was scared. I wasn't sure what that meant and if my new family would like me. My mom has shown me what having a family is all about -- a family is permanent and loving and caring. My mom and I decided that we wanted to share our life with other children, so now I have three sisters who I share my love and life with.

Porche, age 11
I love being adopted because I have many people who love me. I have sisters to share my secrets, my toys and my love with. My mom spends lots of time with all of us. My mom takes us to the movies, shopping and on vacations. I never had those things until I was adopted. I truly have been blessed to have been adopted by my family.

Bessie, 9
I like being adopted because my family keeps me safe and helps me become a better person. I do not know where I would be if I had not been adopted by my mom. I was nervous about coming to live with a family with three other children. I like a lot of attention and thought I would not get the attention I wanted. I was wrong! Being the youngest of four girls, I get lots of attention and everyone looks out for me. I let my sisters know when I can do things for myself, but I like it when they help me. My mom loves us, and I love her and my sisters.

Falika, age 13
Living in an adopted family gives me a sense of security and belonging after many years of living in foster homes. I have three sisters who are all adopted and we are different in many ways. That makes it hard to get along with each other, but that is true in all families. The one thing that my sisters and I have in common is that we all have been adopted into a loving and wonderful family.

Editor's Note: The girls were adopted from the foster care system through public adoption agencies. All were placed as "older children." Carrie has been with the family the longest (8years). The others were adopted between two and three years ago. Their mother, Eleia M., who adopted as a single parent, says, "My daughters have enriched my life and expanded my world." Eleia is an active participant in an adoptive parents support group.

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Adoption is an Adventure
by Lauren, Age 11

Many people at my school know I'm adopted, but most do not. Those who do, ask me a lot of questions. Some questions are just too personal to answer. So, instead of being rude, I say, "that's kind of personal, I don't feel comfortable answering that."

One of the most commonly asked questions is. "Have you ever met your real parents?" I answer, "Yes, I live with my real parents, perhaps you are referring to my birth parents. No, I have never met my birth parents.

I also ask my parents many questions about my adoption. I ask them about my birth parents, how I acted when I was adopted, and why I was adopted. My parents tell me just about everything that I want to know.

I appreciate them telling me I was adopted when they first could. This way I learned a little bit at a time about my adoption. After all my years of living in my family, I have developed many feelings and opinions about my birth parents. When I was younger and got mad at my parents, I would write a letter to my birth mother. I did this because I imagined my birth mother as a model or a superstar! I thought that she must have been so much better than the parents I live with now.

I guess that I will never know if that is true or not because I have not had the chance to live with my birth mother for the years I have lived with my parents.

All I know is that my birth mother took control and made the right decision for her and me! I am happy now with my parents and I know if I ever meet my birth mother (which I hope to) I can give her the thanks that I feel in my heart! There is almost too much thanks to let out of me all at once. This is why my parents and I have agreed on not diving into this head first. We have set the minimum age for meeting my birth mother and gone over why that age is appropriate. Although it may seem far away, I know I will meet her at the right time. I know this because I trust my parents. All this adds up to my exciting adventure as an adoptee.

Editor's Note: Yes, this really was written by an 11-year-old.

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Jenn, age 14

Hi! I'm Jenn. I'm 14 years old and in eighth grade. Sometimes my friends ask me how it feels to be adopted. I say, "Sometimes I feel that I lost some of my younger years of childhood."

My parents and younger sibling, Quincy, are trying to figure me out, and who I am as their daughter and sister. For me, each new day is an adventure and I am excited about figuring out what each day may bring. I love the place where I live, and that makes me happy.

Some days I feel as if I'm a lost person and left out in the dark. I also have difficulty talking to people about adoption because it doesn't make sense to them. They run away from me and don't want to hang out with me anymore. This makes me feel hurt and withdrawn from the world.

I feel abandoned by my birth father and I have so many questions that are unanswered. I wrote him a letter hoping to have some of those questions answered. At times, I do wish that I lived with him. Sometimes I have dreams of meeting him some day. I hope he writes back.

I was very fortunate to be adopted. My wishes go to those kids that haven't been adopted yet, like those who are living in foster homes and waiting for a loving family to adopt them for life.

Editor's Note: Jenn has loving and supportive parents who are helping her understand and deal with her feelings. Her honesty is courageous.

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