Courage

There are courageous people though that we never hear about and show their courage every day with little praise for what they overcome or do to assist those less fortunate and in need. The domestic and international adoption staff that I am proud to work with on a daily basis is a great example. Day in and day out, they work tirelessly on behalf of children in need, sometimes even late into the night and on weekends. Our adoptive families who choose to welcome a child in need into their home are another great example. Courage is demonstrated in those families who have experienced the death of a child during the adoption process and opted to continue on, despite the emotional toll, because they know they are making a difference, even if it is only in the life of one child. For those of you who feel disheartened because of government red tape, stay courageous, keep going and do not give up because you are making a difference.

This all leads me to remind myself; however, the most courageous are actually the children in these orphanages without forever families. Their strength and courage is demonstrated every day to survive against the odds of losing a family, having no one to care for them and even surviving, for many, the difficulty and poverty stricken conditions of an orphanage. These children are courageous and show strength every day in the face of severe adversity and feeling abandoned unloved and unwanted. What greater example is there of courage? My heart breaks to even begin to try to imagine what the older children are feeling. The older children, after all, have some sense of understanding and memory of their past, even if their past is unspeakable. How do these children have the will to survive this? They survive through unwavering courage, stamina, the will to live and the hope that they too will one day have their own family. Not only do some survive, but they go on to overcome great odds, have great achievements and contributions to society. Steve Jobs co-founder and CEO of Apple, Inc., Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, and country singer Faith Hill are examples of this.

To those of you thinking about adoption think about this: there is a child courageous enough to survive daily life in an orphanage and this child is waiting for a family courageous enough to step forward and make a difference.