Quite a few blogs have discussed the Disney kids film Meet The Robinson’s recently, and with mixed reviews on its central adoption related theme. I took my three children and we all throughly enjoyed the film, including my 10 year old with whom the adoption message was well received.

One of the most touching things for me was the song, “Little Wonders” by former Matchbox 20 artist Rob Thomas, used as the movie’s theme and later played in the closing with an equally moving quote by Walt Disney. The song moved me to tears, and I was equally as impressed by how the lyrics of the song, though not specifically naming adoption or any of those members touched by it, could actually be assigned with meaning to any member of the triad.

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

Hearing these words certainly made me feel how the small moments in our lives, even those that are fraught with difficulty, can stand to define who we are. All our lives are this crazy compilation of events, some good, some not so good, but all of them add the nuance to our character and help determine who we become. I was reminded of how diamonds are beautiful are valued, but were in fact created from hard dark coal with extreme pressure and time.

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and I don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we’ll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

The song seems to be saying that letting go of the difficult parts of life and allowing ourselves to find the little moments of peace and joy will lift us up. Finding someone who understands and will support us is possible, and we will get by. By holding on to the “small hours” or the “little wonders” in our lives will be able to find our way through all the other parts and processes that we encounter. Adoption is so like this to me. Finding the tiny sparks of humanity, love, connection and joy in this experience serves as a beacon to guide me through all the difficult waters ahead.

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but I can not forget
the way I feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain

Everyone who has experienced adoption knows regret. In my belief you can let grief either grab you in a strangle hold and pull you under, or you can seriously search for the moments that matter in your life and allow them to comfort, or wash away the grieving. You don’t forget grief, but you also no longer allow it to completely define who you are, it becomes secondary. A diamond is no longer just a lump of coal, but it once was. In our family I think adoption is how we came together, but it is not the complete story of who we are as a family. This song is a meaningful little tune, one I hope the adoption community can embrace and find inspiration from.

Photo- facegallery

Every Child Deserves a Loving Family