What
do you imagine when you hear the word “adoption”?
Is
it a lonely child weeping for his/ her ‘real parents’? Is it a family with
nothing physically in common? Or maybe a feeling of longing that’s painful and
haunting?
These
are probably the common notions on adoption. Pain, loneliness, angst, and anger
encase the word for ages. It is something closely associated with rejection—of
the child that couldn’t belong anymore to a family.
I
admit seeing the concept of adoption in this light for the earlier years of my
life. It seemed to me that it is tragic to belong to a family that is not
‘truly yours’, and to be with brothers and sisters of a different mother. It
seemed to me that if I belong to an adopted family, I would be jealous of my
classmates who live to their original parents; and I might run away from home
with the little money I have, take a random bus and look for my parents with
the little clue that I have—just what I see in the movies.
This
is how I felt about adoption until I finally saw its beauty.
At
the adoption event that was mounted by DSWD, ICAB and McCann wherein an
organized picnic was held at Terra 28 Park, Bonifacio Global City, I have met a
number of adoptive families.
I
was able to talk to adoptive parents and see them together with their adoptive
children. There is no trace of shame or resentment in them as they eat, sing,
and play with their families. Their presence in the event is like a shout out
that declares, “We are an adoptive family and we are proud of it.”
During
the press conference that was held before the picnic, the parents shared how
their adopted children mean to them. This brings adoption into a new light.
Mr.
Craig Logan, an adoptive parent and participant in the “Love Sees beyond
Differences” campaign said,
“We are always encouraging others that have a desire in their hearts to
adopt to go ahead and take that first step.”
He has built his family with
Michelle Logan, also an advocate of adoption. The American couple adopted two
Filipino children and welcomed them to their family.
Moreover, Mike
Tripp, also an adoptive parent, shared, “When you adopt you really have to
accept that you don’t have full control, so there’s a lot of trust, a lot of
faith and love.” He is an American who adopted kids of different nationalities
with his wife.
As I see the
happy faces, the loving caresses, and the tight embraces of the families that I
met, I realized the true beauty of adoption. I discovered that adoption is
a call for unconditional love. It is the kind of love that gives hope to
children all over the world. Adoption is a chance for a child to build a life
with a new family who would give him love and care that is nourishing and
strong.
Truly,
adoption is love that sees beyond differences.
By Venzerie Bernabe
