Our Colombianito(a)'s Story: Adoption Why's

Last weekend Tavo and I decided to go to our favorite book store, Chapters, in search of a book Journal. Of course, we found the Journal in about 10 minutes, then browsed together the - cute baby stuff - section and then, like it usually happens, divided our family into two teams in order to conquer the rest of the store. My dear husband, not a very avid reader, immediately went to the section of photography books and what I call "weird themes" (don't ask... they're just weird). I, on the other hand, go to fiction and after a good 30 minutes search, end up in the children section. Total, we were there for 2.5 hours and finished with more than a book journal in our shopping bag.

You might wonder... why would you need a book journal?.. or for that matter, you might wonder what exactly is a book journal? Well, I will explain. Starting this year, I am part of a Book Club. It's called Bibliotherapy. My new book club it's basically a really cool group of women who share the love of reading. I will of course dedicate a full posting to the Book Club later on, but for now let's go back to the Journal. One of the ladies in my club had this journal last time we met, and I just thought it was the coolest idea ever. Seriously! How many times have I forgotten the author of a book I really liked, or the title, or the main character? Not any more! I decided I wanted one. Therefore the visit to Chapters and the hole in my wallet. : )

But getting back to the children section, I must say; my visit was quite disappointing. I was looking for nice story books that would help us explain to our future baby his or her adoption story (besides my not very pretty scrapbook... ). Anyway... I couldn't find much. There was only a red book (sorry, forgot the title, forgot the author... obviously need the journal uh?). This book went along this lines:

- Why did you come to our house? Because... so and so and so...
- Why did you needed parents? Because... so and so and so...
- Why, why, why?
- So, so, and more so...

Really? It definitely didn't sound very happy or positive. But whatever... of course, I didn't buy it...

But the book did make me think about all the people that have asked me - Why are you adopting?
And before I go on:

********* Disclaimer ***************

I do think people are fundamentally good, and if you are one of those people who have asked (me or anybody else who's adopting), this is only intended to raise your awareness about some other options or alternatives to the question above. : )

*********************************** (there... uff!)

Ok. Moving on. Every time I get the question, I try to understand the person's underlying motive or desire to know the answer. In other words... why do you ask? And is not that I will actually respond with that question, but it definitely goes through my head. Really, is the why that important?

So, let's imagine a scenario, where a thirty some professional couple, with good jobs and a stable marriage (yes... your typical Tavo & Luz scenario) go to a friend, coworker, or similar; and say: "we're having a baby", or "we're pregnant". To what the friend/coworker/similar respond: "why?".

Yup, VERY unlikely.

The friend/coworker/similar would probably go... "CONGRATULATIONS!!!". Right? (there you go, alternative to question above number 1.)

Or you could get creative and say: "Wow... that's some news"... and then add alternative 1.
You can also jump up on the couch - Tom Cruise style - and scream: "That's totally awesome"... but then it can get a little creepy... so I would stick with 1 or 2. ; )

So I'll share with you what really matters :

We decided to grow our family through adoption.
Whatever way this baby comes into our lives he or she will be equally loved. Not only by us, but by grandmas and grandpa; uncles and aunts; etc etc etc.
We will rapidly decide that this baby is the cutest, smartest baby in the whole wide world. - yes, just like any other parent does about their own.
As soon as the baby enters our life, sleeping in on Saturdays and Sundays it's over (or so we hear).
And of course, we will probably share the viruses and other great bugs equally dispersed through daycare. (yikes!).

I leave you with a couple of pictures of beautiful Calgary in the fall. I stole these pictures from a friend's facebook page. He took them last Sunday.