adoption
Adoption proves that sometimes, you can choose your family; all about the process before, during and after adoption.
Jessica
Josie woke up to the salty smell of bacon lingering in the air. First day back home for summer break from college and already her father is trying to win her over with her favorite breakfast. She rolled over and was met with a wet kiss by her dog, Otis. They stretch simultaneously and make their way downstairs. Bacon is Otis’ favorite too.
By Joseph Grisafe5 years ago in Families
Sold to the Highest Bidder
Here I am sitting in front of my dead birth mothers well -- everything, lying on the cold brownstone floor thinking “why me?” I mean I never even knew this woman. She gave me up for adoption when I was just a year old, and now I have her house because I am her only living relative willing to take on ownership of such an expensive home and an inheritance of $20,000.00. They would not tell me the full details of her life and how she died which I thought was odd because 5 years ago I hired a private investigator in my attempts to connect with her and there was no trace of her existence, I just assumed she did not want to be found. A little over a month ago I received a letter from the executor stating she passed away and that I would need to come to California to sort through her assets etc. Luckily for me she had no outstanding debts. I realize I was lost in thought and repeat my mantras allowing me to return to the present moment. Once I am settled back in my body I resume shuffling around the house to distract me from all the questions I have brewing in my mind.
By Juan Davis5 years ago in Families
For Celine
It was the middle of my senior year of college. My parents decided to move down south to retire and were selling our childhood house. I felt a sense of loss that I could not explain. I knew that I was 21, but this house was my history. Where my boyfriend picked me up for my first date. Where I felt safe from the bullying I experienced at school. I would come to this house that my parents were now selling and shed all the hurt that the day brought due to the relentless teasing from my peers due to my big hair and long-limbs. I was an “other” everywhere else in my community but here.
By Oluseyi Segun5 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
In September of 1968 Mr. And Mrs Harry Kolochuck made a trip to Regina from Spalding Saskatchewan, This trip was indeed a special one , with the joyous news they were to adopt a five month year old boy. To celebrate they brought along Mr. Kolochuck's older brother Alex and wife Vivian as well. Four years previous Mrs. Nettie Kolochuck had been informed she could not have children of her own, After having a horrible miscarriage of birth, and tragedy of Harry's younger brother being killed in a work related accident, The adoption was wonderful news. A happy baby they named Darrell. From the beginning he bounced when he heard music on the radio, record player as well as the television. Three years later in May of 1971, They adopted a daughter from Prince Albert Saskatchewan, That they named Lynn, That Christmas, Darrell's grandmother on his Mom's side of the family, gave him a gift which was a Little Black Book. It was like a journal, to mark down important events and wishes and it would bring him good luck. As time grew on he indeed followed this, But he struggled in school with awkwardness , some weight problems, and at times a target for intimidation, He would go back to the Little Black Book as a prayer and would journal, anguish, dreams ,hopes and fears, that would hopefully disappear . In 1979, His father would have to leave the rural farm outside of Spalding, due to allergies and move to Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Darrell welcomed this, That a change needed to occur , They planned on moving to Kamloops British Columbia, But real estate was not affordable , Darrell's father made a point, That's where they were moving to in four years. In Saskatoon , Life was better, still he struggled with studies in school and some taunts were indeed still the same, He would continue to write in the Little Black Book, But no great luck was yet to happen. But Darrell had been blessed with a voice that was a clear tenor, In his mother's words a gift. Sing or speak, he shone bright as any star. In the summer of 1983, His father's dream became a reality and they moved to Kamloops British Columbia. Finally luck bestowed on Darrell , He developed lifelong friendships, school improved somewhat, and he performed with some very talented musicians. After grade twelve graduation he worked restaurants and retail and decided to pursue a career in broadcasting, Four years of a career that was doomed. Times had changed due to satellite and internet, There was no future of moving forward. He was really hoping his parents could be proud and one day work for CBC Radio. But Darrell made a major error he quit journaling in the Little Black Book which brought grief. Bad luck soon followed, A series of bad relationships, Personal and professional, addiction and not suitable job choices. Darrell was employed at a casino and later at a lumber plant that paid a handsome wage, But inside he felt his life was empty . Darrell felt as a failure, In the midst of all this, his father had passed away. Darrell drifted for some time not knowing where his life was going or ending, But then a light bulb had struck in his stubborn head and he went back to the Little Black Book and began to write again. About a year and half later, A friend Keith, a former musician had called and asked him to perform and add vocals on tracks that were going to be produced on a CD locally. They produced three hundred copies and it sold, Slowly but surely. Darrell would start to write some songs. It was then, another friend, Fred from the broadcasting years had called, They would meet and collaborate on some material. Both having a talent for lyrics as well as music of any genre, Then to Darrell's surprise some royalty payments were issued to Fred and himself. Inspired to write more, His friend Keith produced a new CD. With some new wonderful luck his confidence soared, His live performances were breathtaking, The response from the audience was fantastic, Even some standing ovations. Then one day while Darrell was walking his pet dog. He stopped at a Shoppers Drug Mart by his residence and used the numbers of his birthdate and his father's as well, As fate would play out a kind hand, Darrell won the 649 draw of 4.5 million dollars. The words of his late grandmother's would repeat in his stubborn head, the Little Black Book would bring luck, Eventually.
By Glen Sobchyshyn5 years ago in Families
Lilly's Blessings
‘It’s time you know truth. We’ll be here when you’re ready.’ Lilly Brennan read the simple note scrawled on plain but elegant stationary, puzzled. Reaching in the padded manilla envelope, she pulled out a medium-sized leather black book covered in various bright stickers. Intrigued, she opened the well-worn cover to see the name Victoria “Tori” Fleming and the date 2002 inscribed on the first page. Who was Tori Fleming and what did she have to do with Lilly? There was no name or return address on the envelope that was mailed to her dorm at the University of Texas at Dallas.
By Stephanie Bates5 years ago in Families
Unruined Dreams
Sometimes I have to try very hard to think back to what life was like before I was placed with my foster family. I mostly blocked out allot of the unnecessary trauma. I spent most days and nights alone. My mom left me and my dad when I was just a toddler. I don’t remember her at all. I have one picture of her and me. Her smiling at my dad who was the photographer and me looking at the grass with my thumb in my mouth. The picture was taken outside of a trailer we lived in. I never thought twice about not having a mother when I was growing up. On some Days dad was enough, and on other days he was nonexistent. It was just he and I in that little trailer so when he wasn’t there it was me myself and I. Sometimes I would go days at a time without speaking to anyone. I made up the most elaborate stories and fantasized about being one of the characters.
By Maryam Abdullah5 years ago in Families
Make It Count
I feel as if I’m on the precipice of a major breakdown. Wave after wave of anxiety, stress, depression, helplessness, anger, frustration knocks me down over and over. The pressure society and social media have put on me to be the perfect wife, mother, co-worker and friend has taken its toll on me.
By Jessica Nicole5 years ago in Families
My little roly-poly
I woke with a start. You would think that I would be used to the loud banging on the chipping green on my door, but for the 12 years I’ve lived at this orphanage I never have. I sat straight up and went through my typical morning routine. It was 7:30 AM. I was hardly aware of what I was doing; sliding on my yellow and white plaid skirt, that went just below the knees how Harlem liked it. I made a sour face at the thought of the brute.
By Giselli Reschke5 years ago in Families
