After my last post I had to go out looking for just the thing to pull me out of my sad place, remind me that things can work in an open adoption even if my own situations are currently “iffy.”

Well I found just that in the form of this wonderful, well written article by Jeff Peek in the Traverse City Record Eagle. Poster child for open adoption? Josh Graybiel, age 19 of Harbor Springs, Michigan seems to be just that.

Adopted shortly after birth in 1988 his situation was the first open adoption for the agency his birthmother Mary Auberle (now Zukowski) placed through. Mary acknowledged she became pregnant with her boyfriend at the time despite the use of birth control, but she sees that happening because, “Josh was supposed to be here.”

While she and the father drifted apart, and Mary felt it too early in her life to take on parenting a child, she began to consider adoption. Her own father had been adopted by an aunt and because of his good experience she was able to feel adoption could be positive for her and her baby. Mary contacted Children and Family Services of Northwest Michigan about placing her baby for adoption.

Enter Ron and Patt Graybiel. After being married and unable to conceive children for 17 years they had adopted a son in 1984. They went back on the waiting list as soon as possible for a second child but it was five years later when Mary selected them for her soon to be born baby. Mary wanted an open adoption, a new idea for everyone involved. The Graybiel’s were open to it as well and what resulted appears to be a wonderful and close open adoption relationship.

I hope you will go and read the full article, it captures so much more than I could put into just one post here! I would say that even if I were not in my current state, I would still have caught myself crying (as I did). It really warmed my heart (that broken one) to know that yes, sometimes , things can go as planned. People can have love and respect for each other.

Open adoption CAN work!


Photo Credit- Tyler Sipe / Record-Eagle