One aspect of parenting that I have not been looking forward to is going to places and activities with our child where other moms will be with their kids. My experience has been that in those settings moms always begin talking about when they were pregnant and sharing birth stories. When we decided not to have biological children I knew this would be a part of life that I wouldn't experience and quite honestly that was more than fine with me. Needless to say, I don't have much to contribute and usually feel awkward when these dreaded conversations come up.
I work in an office with some young moms and have shared a lot of details regarding our adoption journey with them. It's been through these conversations that I have come to realize just how similar the process of adoption is to being pregnant when it's your first child. I've determined that a first time pregnancy is the same regardless of whether it is a physical pregnancy or a paperwork pregnancy. The fears, concerns, worries and doubts are all the same. The joy, excitement, anticipation and fantasizing of your child's future are all the same.
Adoption changes you. We are no where near the same people that started this process sixteen months ago. Experiencing these things that an expecting mother goes through has been a wonderful blessing and something I never expected to get out of this journey. Because of this experience I just may have something to contribute to those conversations after all.
What a precious and beautiful revelation. Yet another gift to you from our awesome and amazing God!
ReplyDeleteYou will have tons to share, and it will be sought out-- you will find women will be welled up with emotion at your unique journey. Within a short time filled w/love, they'll be surprised to learn your child is adopted. And they will be pretty empathetic about how exciting it was to think of seeing your child face to face the first time-- but with no fixed due date to countdown to.
ReplyDeleteVERY EXCITED FOR YOU!!!