Of course, not the people, but their hurtful words. As someone whose life didn't start out like that of the vast majority of people around me, it's not hard to see why people like me, i.e. adoptees, might want to shy away from being themselves. It's easy for many to say "of course you should... Continue Reading →
A special-needs child is a celebration of all that’s good in this world
I'll be honest: When we first found out (prenatally) that our boy had Down syndrome, it was devastating. I had to fight my inner demons saying things like "what will the world think about him and us?", "What if I don't love him?" and "Will I be happy?". I think it's safe to say that... Continue Reading →
When it’s all said and done
I find myself sitting here, half-way through my vacation, staring out the window. Outside, the rain pours down, and I think to myself, "some vacation this is." And then I stop myself and remember why the grass is green, why the birds fly, and why I was able to have a proper meal on my... Continue Reading →
Beyond all doubt: How orphanhood is shaping my fatherhood
No matter the culture, no matter the language, no matter the childโone universal fact transcends every border and every notion man could ever invent: a child is born to love. There are many things a child can do without, but a sense of belonging isnโt one of them. But I am about to have a... Continue Reading →
Our first page
There are countless letters on countless pages in countless books in countless libraries. They all have something in common: none of them contain our story. Not a single sheet of paper in any of those books contain the emotions, passions, happiness, or sorrows of ours, nor the paths that we have taken. This, our paper... Continue Reading →
Marrying was my worst fear
For a lot of people, their wedding day is something of a life goal. They dream about it, read innumerable wedding magazines, and their desires for the perfect wedding may even be borderline utopic. Not me. It was a harrowing prospect--something I had severe anxieties about for the better part of a decade. It's a... Continue Reading →