The news out of Kansas City today is that little baby Max has been returned to the home of Gary & Cynthia Stocklaufer.

The hearing today at 9:30 am before Judge John R. O’Malley appears to have straightened out the issues of immediate custody, and has moved forward the petition for the legal adoption of baby Max by the Stocklaufers. The baby was returned to the family right after the court hearing today. I am sure the joy that Gary, Cynthia & big brother Bobby must be feeling is beyond words this evening. I hope with all the excitement that little Max is able to rest peacefully tonight, his first night back with the family who has moved heaven and earth to see him home.

While some might criticize the family for sharing their struggle with the media, I understand why they did. As a mother would do no less. Because they spoke out, Max will regain so much that could have been lost to him. The chance to know his extended family of origin is no small thing. While it might not always be a safe thing for an adoptee, or possible to have openness, as an adoptive mother with three very open adoptions, I can tell you that the benefits to the child are so many. My children know first hand that they were not abandoned or unloved by birthfamily, because their birthfamily tell them by their positive, on going participation in their lives. Ask a grown adoptee who did not have that, how much it may have meant to their self esteem growing up, and you may understand as well.

At the same time I feel such happiness about Max, my heart does go out to the Kraus family, who so lovingly cared for him these last 6 months. I have no doubt that these people are wonderful people, and have loved this baby with all that their hearts. I hope that they will hold precious the time he spent with them and take it with them in their own journey. I also hope that they will not allow their loving spirit to go to waste. There are so many children who truly need a family to love them forever! I will be praying that Scott and Tandy moved forward from this experience with their desire to find the child who needs them so much. I hope that they will move forward and adopt a child for whom all other options have been exhausted, and for whom they will be the loving forever parents they so want to be.

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