Just an Ordinary Day

When I was little, my big brother (9 years my senior and natural child of my parents) would take me outside to play. We'd wrestle, play tag or hide and go seek. He was always there for me. Funny, he still is.... But there's one day that will stick in my mind until the day I die.

It did start out an ordinary day. I was about 5 or so playing with "R" in the front yard. We were wrestling around when he suddenly stopped and said "you know you're special". Being about 5 I didn't understand and thought he was teasing me like he always did. But then he went on to say "because you're adopted". Needless to say, I had no clue what he was talking about much less really knowing what adopted meant. I asked him what it was and he said "a nurse saw that your parents were fighting and came in the room and snatched you away. That's how you got here".

Well, considering that my big brother always teased me, I didn't know really what to think. Of course being the little sister I told him that I was going to rat him out to Mom - LOL. I did go to my mom that afternoon....

Thinking back on it, I remember the shocked look on her face. To be honest, I don't think that she was ready for me at the age of 5 to come up to her and ask about adoption. She lovingly sat me down and explained adoption. But my big brother's answer of a nurse was WAY off. And I guess I was a little relieved. My mom told me that my birthmom loved me very much and that she was very young. She answered all my questions that afternoon is her sweet way. I admire my mom for that. She could have taken the easy route out and told me that my brother was making it all up, but she didn't. She confronted the issue with me and we talked about it.

My parents were always honest with me. I think that my mom trying to explain the situation to a 5 year old was difficult enough, but being in the mid 60's and explaining it the way she did took alot of love and understanding.

The church we belonged to had a school associated with it. That's the school I attended for 9 years (Kindergarten through 8th grade). It was there I realized what an impact adoption had. Not in a bad way, but for being a small school (only 13 in my 8th grade class), 3 were adopted in that class alone. I never felt lonely about adoption. There was always someone there who understood. Actually, it was pretty cool growing up that way. Nothing was hidden away and feelings were always validated.

Through my teenage years it still remained the same. Although I always wondered about my birthfamily and had questions that I would have liked answered, I was content and happy. Isn't that the way children should grow up?