An Adoption Story

A couple of years ago, my then 15 year old daughter, Samantha, expressed that she would like to write her adoption story in hopes that it might help other kids who were struggling through similar circumstances.  At the time, I was not sure she was ready to examine her own past that closely, much less share it with others.  Over the course of the last two years, Sammy has grown in some incredible ways.  This warrior of a girl has fought through more grief and loss in her first 16 years than many of us will face in a lifetime.  I have watched her muscle her way out of some terrible pits...some she dug herself, some that she was pushed into by no fault or choice of her own.  She is learning what it means to be loved - by herself, by a family, and most importantly by the only One who can redeem every bit of brokenness and loss.

So we have decided to write a series of blogs.  Once a week we will address the topic of adoption. My hope is that this blog will give Sammy a voice.    We are writing for us--to process, vent, reflect and gain some empathy and understanding for the other's perspective.  We are writing for you--that perhaps our own struggles and successes will encourage someone else on this journey.  There is such power in simply knowing that you are not alone.

If you are reading this blog in the hopes of a feel-good success story that has a tidy ending, all tied up with a neat little bow, you may be disappointed.  The last 3 1/2 years have been incredibly challenging for us.  We have had some mountain highs and some rock bottom lows.  If we are honest, there has been more of the latter than the former.  We have cried and screamed and fought and struggled.  Steve and I have made many mistakes, often causing more hurt in our clumsy efforts to help.  Sammy and I have struggled tremendously to find solid relationship and connection.

Neither is this as story of defeat or failure.  We are still fighting, and we are gaining ground.  This process of healing is painstakingly slow and often my perspective is skewed.  But when I back up and look at how far she has come, how far we have come, the truth is that there has been amazing progress and incredible victories.  Our story is not over and we are looking toward the next chapter with great hope and anticipation!  Our story is messy and hard and uncomfortable and amazingly beautiful and our prayer is that our life would declare the praises of Him who continues to call us out of darkness and into His marvelous light!  (1 Peter 2:9)

To be continued...

We would love to hear about your experiences as well!!   This journey is meant to be lived shoulder to shoulder!   Share some of your story in the comments!