Tuesday, October 24, 2006

"Fifteen years ago I heard the name birthmom, and then I met my brother. This is Cheryl, she is our birthmom...." -Amom

was what was said when Olivia's candles were lit for her first birthday by the adoptive mom. That was her introducing me to all of the family that I had no met, from all over the country that flew in for Olivia's birthday. I was almost in tears as they handed her to me for a kiss. The A-parents both hugged me while we all sang happy birthday to her.

I won't forget that day. Ever.

"Looking and knowing you, lets me know there are still some amazing people in this world" -Dump

hearing that from him during Olivias party....wow. If you knew this guy....that made me cry.

5 comments:

Jayne said...

That's awesome, Cheryl.

If they're so cool, though, I wonder why you didn't get to see or hold her when she was born. Was that your decision or theirs?

Amy T. S. said...

Hi, Cheryl. I'm sorry you're hurting. (I saw you on Jayne's blog.) We just adopted a baby boy last month and have an open adoption with his birthmom. I like to stay in tune with blogging birthmothers so I won't be an idiot about being an adoptive parent. ;o)

Happy birthday to your sweet daughter - I hope you get to see her again real soon.

HeatherRainbow said...

(((hugs)))

Niels said...

Hi Cheryl,

In search of adoption related websites on the internet I came accross your blog. As admin of poundpuplegacy.org an adoption related web community, I made a link available to your blog and a feed of your posts to our website as to promote your writing. Please pay us a visit and see for yourself.

~poundpup

Senior Mom said...

Hi, I'd like to share with ya'll a new and very important about adoption:

The STORK MARKET:
America’s Multi-Billion Dollar Unregulated Adoption Industry
by Mirah Riben
Foreword by Evelyn Robinson


Projected Release Date: Feb 15, 2007

ORDER YOURS NOW!

www.AdvocatePublications.com

Stork mar·ket. (stôrk märkt) n. 1. exposé of the corruption in the adoption industry; the fine line between black and gray market adoption; scams, coercion and exploitation. 2. an in-depth report on the international market where children are the commodity being bought and sold to the highest bidders including pedophiles with prices based on quality (i.e. age, skin color) of the merchandise and set as high as ‘desperate’ consumers continue to be willing to pay. 3. an examination of the myths of adoption that put the needs of adults, and those who profit from their desperation, before the needs of children who need homes. 4. an extensively researched and documented book that asks if adoption can be fixed—the money aspect removed and government controls and regulations put in place—or abolished in favor of permanent guardianship, or informal adoption sans the issuance of falsified birth certificates. 5. goes further than Riben’s groundbreaking, award-winning “shedding light on…The Dark Side of Adoption” (1988) which was excerpted in Social Issues Review Series, Utne Reader and Microcosm USA. 7. reveals, for the first time in print, Riben’s role in the notorious Joel Steinberg murder case.

__________________________________________________

“Riben has done it again. Once again, as in Dark Side, she has pulled back the covers and exposed the unpleasant truths and problems that need to be addressed in American adoption practices. While difficult, when we remove the rose-colored glasses many view adoption through, the conclusions that Riben comes to are inarguable. Most impressive on every count….well researched and thought out.” Annette Baran, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., co-author The Adoption Triangle

Mirah Riben writes that she refuses to give up. This book—a wonderful and well-integrated mix of approaches—part analysis, part case studies from the front lines, part handbook, part up-to-date law and policy review—is a testament to Riben's powerful and enduring commitment to the rights and needs of vulnerable women and their children. Riben's book is a clear, bright blueprint for change. Rickie Solinger, historian and author of Pregnancy and Power: A Short History of Reproductive Politics in America


“Combines the historical and legal perspective with really hard hitting journalism.” Maureen Flatley, political consultant and media advisor specializing in child welfare and adoption