[ocracoke]

If I ever thought about raising the "perfect" child I have certainly given up on that. I only have one child so I have no way to compare adoptive versus biological. I do worry about raising a good person. I want her to be kind and considerate. I want her to be smart and prodcutive. I assume that has nothing to do with her adoption. I want to provide her with the opportunities to be successful. I don't want to spoil her -- the thought just frightens me. But since I do believe that her bio parents loved her emmensely and made the only option that to relinquish her for adoption I do wish that I could show them what an amazing child she is. I wish I could let her father know (her mother is no longer living) that she is healthy and happy and smart. I wish I knew where her beauty and humor and curiosity came from. As an adoptee myself I have never decided on the nature versus nurture argument and I wonder with her, too. I don't think that I am doing anything different because she is adopted, I just wish I could let them know about her since she has come to me.

Samantha