[Jody M]

Here are 10 Reasons I Am Grateful to Be An Adopted Person:

1. My Birth Parents Choose LIFE and adoption for me in an era (the 1950’s) when abortion was illegal. The law protected me and afforded me the gift of LIFE!

2. My Birth Father made a courageous, selfless decision for my welfare due to the fragile circumstances my birth parents found themselves in.( My birth mom had cancer & marriage was rocky )

3. Adoption afforded me a loving home and a stable foundation to begin my life with parents who were equipped financially, and emotionally to receive, nuture and care for me.

4. I spent my first 2 mos in a hospital due to my early arrival, and 7 mos in foster care before being adopted at 9 mos. I did not face multiple placements, being caught in the system, and forever longing for a family to call my own.

5. Adoption was never a secret in my adoptive family. From the time I could speak I heard the word adoption spoken about in positive ways. It was never a surprise to me.

6. My adoption helped me to more fully understand, from a spiritual perspective, God’s offer to adopt me; receive me as His child eternally when I received his gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. (at 10 years of age )

7. God allowed me to cross paths with other adoptees, who became my childhood friends and helped me to not feel so alone in my adopted position. My older sister also was adopted.

8. I grew up in a neighborhood with many extended family who embraced me and always made me feel welcome and part of the family.

9. I searched and found my birth sisters in mid-life. They welcomed me with surprise for they were told I died at birth. They shared my true story and pictures of my birth parents who were deceased.

10. My College degree in Psychology fueled my passion to begin adoption triad support groups to encourage those touched by adoption for 10 years locally in IL and online. I also am Editor of Adoption Blessings Journal, A Christian publication.