Friday, April 4, 2008

Adoption

Our family, my husband Alex, our four daughters and myself, have been blessed to have at various times in our lives "additions" to our family.

It started in Texas when my daughter, Lauren, had a friend named Mandy who became such a part of our family that we called her "Number Five" - then we moved back to L.I. where Kik had a best friend name Laura and she became "Number Six" - Heather's best friend, Trisha, became "Number Seven" - and then we had Matt and Jason - who taught me to like Rush - they made me sit and listen and listen and made tapes for me of their music.

We still talk about "adopting" various ones - I am trying to think of what the criteria is - I guess the most important thing is a sense of humor - being a good conversationalist or a good listener because we need those in our family too - willingness to eat my "stretch meals" of meat pinwheels (Jason always called them ketchup holders) and hamburger stroganoff - and bowl after bowl of popcorn and drink Countrytime Lemonade - my staple "snack" for whenever we didn't have a lot a lot of money for food.

I guess it is all part of coming into our home - being willing to be yourself and let us be ourselves - helping when you can - laughing at the right places - clearing your place at the table - being nice to the little ones - maybe playing "Kings In The Corner" or "Scattergories" - working on the jigsaw puzzle set up in the bay window - and knowing we'll never kick you out - and you can stay as long as you like.

6 comments:

April Joy said...

i just have to say that jessica and daniel (two housemates) are now hooked on country time lemonade thanks to me. and popcorn is still a staple snack for me.

kenady said...

Maybe there really isn't a criteria. Maybe you just know when someone has become an addition to your family. I look forward to forging those types of memories with my own family. Thanks for sharing. Always a pleasure:)

Logzie said...

You're an inspiration. I hope people feel as welcome in my home as I am sure they do in yours!

Rachael Rae Diaries said...

I feel like I was just talking to my mom! I don't feel there is a criteria. All my life my friends have been invited in as part of the family! If you are at my moms house you help yourself to anything that looks good. My mom would always say "Make yourself at home!" I love that! I didn't realize that that is normal and that other people do that too! You are a great person! You must have one of the most warm and welcoming homes ever! (next to my mom of course!)

Rock Chef said...

We have 'adopted' various people/kids over the years. We almost applied to fully adopt one child a year ago but the situation worked out in the end. We hope that we have helped make at least a small difference along the way.

Deb said...

If my husband and I didn't adopt people, we would have very little family. Your philosophy is so perfect. I hope I can instill that in my kids.