Today is Adoption Day for me and my mom. She brought me home on February 8, 1974, a month after being born to a 17-year-old girl, and for that I am eternally thankful. On this day every year she sends me a note telling me she is thinking of that day and of sitting in that little yellow Porsche of ours with me in her lap staring at her with big blue eyes. I doubt in that moment she could have imagined me ever being thirty-nine years older.
Now just today Ali and I were sitting in the shade while the kids alternated between climbing in our laps and bowling with a ball and two Coke bottles for pins. With Lowe looking in Ali’s eyes she teared up and said that she was going to miss her baby. Lowe is definitely making the transformation these past few weeks from baby to little boy and I don’t think either of us could have ever imagined that we could miss the baby stage—but we now know we will.
Then later on when I got that e-mail from mom it occurred to me all at once that one day I’m going to be sending notes to my 39-year-olds—and in that moment my mind was blown. Growing up and being a parent does that to me.
I hope my kids will feel as fortunate as I do.
11 Comments on “Growing Up”
It’s one thing to be blessed with a child, but to be chosen by your parent is doubly blessed, for your Mom and you. P.S. Looks like y’all could use some trees for those kids to climb.
Great post Pat…it came from the heart.
Hi – like you, I was adopted at birth, my birth mother was 18. And like you, I feel so fortunate to have been raised by loving, caring and capable parents.
All the best to you, and give your mom a hug for me from another adoptee – my folks have been gone a few years now, so this is the best I can do.
Wally
Great post. It is mind blowing. Really gets you thinking. Being a parent is the coolest thing I’ve done in my life so far, and it’s just getting started!
suerte amigos – TREE
Wonderful post….your Mom and you are very blessed.
Great post Pat. Very heartfelt. As a parent who adopted my oldest daughter, I can tell you that adopted children are very special, as are biological ones, but in a different way. We got to choose them. My daughter was almost 3 when I adopted her and I have always loved her as much as anyone can love a child. I am the only Dad she has ever known, and I will always remember the first day I met her just like you always remember the day your child is born.
What a sweet post. I’m always putting off having kids for another year because it seems like an intrusion into my life that I can’t possibly imagine keeping my sanity through.
But I also know a non-parent can never understand the joys of a parent. So, one day, we’ll make the leap. It better be good or I’ll be sending you hate mail. 🙂 Just kidding.
Seriously. Great post. I don’t read many inspiring posts about being a parent. Let alone being a parent on the move.
Tasha (Turf to Surf)
Wow. Cool. We get some flack for not wanting to have our own children but want to adopt instead. In fact someone asked me recently “Will you not breed?” (Ick) So thanks for sharing the other side, appreciate it.
One of the best things I ever did was adopt my two girls, even though I already had two kids. Be of blood or not, they’re just as precious to a parent and watching them grow is a treat. Big thumbs up to your mother, Pat.
Happy adoption day! Great post Pat.
Adoption is a wonderful thing! It’s such a blessing for the child and the parents. As I read your thoughts about missing the baby years and eventually writing to your grown adult, I think about our daughter. This month she turned 21 AND got engaged to a great guy! Wow, time does indeed fly! Every now and then I come across her baby pictures and I long for that baby. I love my grown daughter, but that baby is missed. You are smart to treasure these times … enjoy!