I WILL NEVER FORGET

Where did the time go? I adopted my daughters in 1987 and 1991. Seems like yesterday.

I remember when each  was placed in my arms. It seemed so unreal. This was what they called adoption. It was working. It was a miracle. I was to be a mom.

I still remember the months of worry and feeling it was not meant to be. But there I was – responsible for these little beings. I was overwhelmed with love. I was in awe of the birth mothers who made this possible. I was so thankful to the attorneys and agencies and social workers who helped make the dream come true. I was so proud of being a mom.

Both times, I couldn’t wait to get back to New York and share my daughter – MY DAUGHTER – with my own mom and dad, my sister and her husband, my friends and community. It was back in New York, in my own home, that it became so real.

Almost 27 years have passed. I still remember those early days. I can see the rooms where I met my daughters.  I can see the faces and tears in my parents’ and sister’s eyes as they met their grandchild and niece for the first time. I remember the congratulations from friends and surprised neighbors. Those memories never go away.

Mostly, I remember how deeply I wanted to be a mother. How I thought it was not meant to be, but gave trust in the system of adoption.  And now, I cannot remember a day without my daughters.

Kathy Ann Brodsky, LCSW is a social worker, adoptive mom and advocate for ethical adoption practice. She has prepared thousands of adoption homestudies, counseled adoptive parents and parents-to-be, and has trained professionals to work with adoptive families. She was named an “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2001 and has a private practice in New York City. She is also Director of the Ametz Adoption Program of JCCA. She can be reached at theadoptionmaven@gmail.com