new holiday

We've been reading a lot about adoption over the past months (though, probably a lot less than we should be) and one piece of advice that has stuck with me relates to holidays – and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in particular. These two holidays are often big triggers that remind adoptees of how they came to be part of their Forever Family. And, therefore it can often be a sad and confusing time for adoptees…not wanting to disappoint their parents by thinking about or being sad or mad or whatever they feel towards their birth parents on a day that’s designed for the parents that love and care for them so much now. Seems more than understandable to me that these days could be difficult ones for Leo in the future.

So, why not carve out a whole separate day/night/event/moment for those “mothers” and “fathers” that may not be in our lives right now…but were significant in making our life complete. There are plenty of people that are no longer in our lives that nurtured us and helped shape who we are – grandparents and great grandparents, teachers, coaches, aunts, uncles, friends…birth parents and foster parents. And, what better time for us to celebrate them than on the day before Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. So, that is what we are going to do!

Our new little holidays need a name. [Suggestions welcome] And, who knows how we will ultimately celebrate…maybe we will light candles…maybe we’ll write letters…maybe we’ll host a party…maybe we’ll go out to eat or cook a fancy meal or bake a cake. But whatever we call these holidays and whatever we decide to do on them, we will all celebrate them together as a family. It’s important that we all recognize that there is someone important and significant to us that is no longer with us. And, it’s important that we all realize and share the blessings that that person bestowed on us. This sharing will undoubtedly make us a stronger and happier family.

And so today, we will celebrate and honor Leo’s birth mom who gave our strong, brave and courageous boy life. We express our heartfelt gratitude for the difficult and selfless choice she made to place him for adoption in hopes of a better life for him. We share all the love and joy we have for Leo with her.

We also celebrate and honor Leo’s foster mom today – for her continued commitment to provide him with love and care that is so essential to his growth and development. We hope that the bonds she forms with Leo last a lifetime. And, we cannot wait to meet her and express our gratitude in person.

Until next time…please join us in celebrating our new holiday!!