As there are only a few days left in 2007, I have been reflecting back over the past year and all the things that have happened in my life that personally relate to adoption. It hasn’t been a terrible year but it hasn’t been the best either.

The biggest thing that happened adoption related in my life was that Charlie’s Mom and Dad separated in January, although I didn’t mention it publicly until September. One of my reasons for making an adoption plan in the first place was because I already had one child from a “broken home” and did not want to have another child in a broken home. So for his parents to announce that they were splitting up was a pretty big shock and took a little bit of time for me to mentally deal with it all and come to terms with it. Of course, I’m not happy about it, but it’s not my problem to fix. I have just tried to be there for Charlie and his family as much as I possibly can (emotionally) as I know that this is a hard time for all of them.

On the positive side, my relationship with Charlie and his family has continued to grow. Since we only live a little over an hour away from one another I have never had an overnight visit until this year when I spent the night at Charlie’s house and then went on a field trip with him, A, and his entire kindergarten class. What a fun time and experience that was and definitely one of the highlights of my year!

In 2007, Charlie is beginning to understand who I am more and more each day. Charlie has also begun to ask me questions which is both good and scary all at the same time.

A lot has happened in 2007 and I have no doubt that 2008 will bring a lot of new things, obstacles, understanding, and growth into our lives as well.

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Photo Credit: Coley S.