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….My friends had no idea I was interested in adopting. When I finally got around to sharing with one friend, she exclaimed “You adopt? Why whatever for?”
hummm.. not exactly a vote of confidence….
After my friend asked why I wanted to adopt I started to think why.
Why would a successful career women in her 40’s want to ‘give it all up’ and start a family?
I couldn’t really come up with an answer. I didn’t have a big mothering instinct. (At least I didn’t think so at the time, boy have I proven myself wrong on that one!)
The best reason I could come up with to my friend was:
It is a natural feeling to want to be a mom, and I don’t want to miss out on that part of life.
Pretty nebulous.
My friend Sue talks about holding babies and cuddling and the smell of newborns skin. Another friend Kathy loves the toddler stage, finding herself laughing at all the things said and done by her three small ones. Diane has older ones, and struggles with the decisions they make in their adult years. She wants to help, but mostly keeps her mouth shut and watches them go down roads and paths she would never choose. They all love their children.
Diane seems to have it the hardest right now.
Does she regret having children?
It’s the best thing I’ve ever done she’ll tell you.
“It’s such a wonderful feeling to see your own children all gown and out on their own. I used to miss them terribly, but after I got over the shock of them leaving, I’m learning to appreciate them as adults. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
I had no experience being a mom. At the time I didn’t know I’d love the newborn smell, or the process of teaching a toddler to feed herself, or laughing at my daughter putting my makeup all over her face so she’d be “married like me.”
I can only presume I’m going to love the first day of school, the troublesome teenage years and empty nest syndrome.
So far, motherhood, well it’s been the best decision of my life.
Continued soon…..
Part I of Michelle’s Story
Part II of Michelle’s Story
Part III of Michelle’s Story
Photo Credit: Yep that’s us, last Christmas. I look happy huh!
