Tags
Adoption, Adoption Triad, Adoptive Parents, Birth Parents, Catherine West, Hidden in the Heart, Platform
You’ll notice I’ve given my blog a new name.
This Is A Blog About Books…And Life.
For years, I never talked about the fact that I was adopted. I was born in the ’60’s, and yep, that’s my mom holding me outside the hospital on the day my parents took me home. Back then things were simple, black and white. You didn’t talk about things you didn’t understand. You didn’t try to understand them, you just accepted them for what they were and moved on. People didn’t have their shrinks on speed-dial and the only talk show on television was the nightly news.
So the topic never really came up. I always knew I was adopted, it wasn’t a secret, but it wasn’t something I openly shared. I didn’t want to be different. There was a certain stigma attached to the status, and to be honest, I hated it. It was the proverbial elephant in the room, and for the most part, I stepped around it and pretended it didn’t exist.
Eleven days from today, I will celebrate the day of my birth. And as I do every year, I will remember the woman who gave me life, I will thank God for the parents who wanted me and took me home, and I will find peace in knowing that my life was planned before I took my first breath.
I am adopted.
I’m talking about it.
It’s time.
I have faced my fears, dealt with my feelings and have tried to process the vast-ranging emotions that being an adoptee has to deal with the best I can. And I’ve discovered I am not alone.
I was told recently that one in three people are touched by adoption in some way. I believe it.
Since the launch of my book, Hidden in the Heart, I’ve talked to many people who are part of the adoption triad (adoptee, birth mother, adoptive parents). I believe this journey is only just beginning. Today, I sit here with a new plan. A new platform. A new purpose.
I wasn’t sure why God wanted me to write Hidden in the Heart. In some way, I suppose I figured it was necessary for my own journey to healing and wholeness. While I don’t discount that, I’m starting to see that it’s probably going to be more than that. I’m starting to see that adoption is still a subject that a lot of people don’t discuss, and I’m hoping to change that. I want to talk about it. I need to talk about it. And I don’t think I’m the only one.
And so I’m stepping out onto a new path. Embarking on a new journey. I’d love for you to keep me company.
Let’s talk – Have you been touched by adoption in some way? Do you want to talk about it?
Keli Gwyn said:
I’m adopted. My dad–the man who raised me and treated me as his own since I was one-year-old–heart-adopted me from the start. He made the adoption legal after I was an adult. The day we went to the courthouse together to make our relationship “legal,” was a big one in my life.
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Cathy West said:
🙂 Love that, Keli! If you would ever like to share your story here, let me know!
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Jennifer Hoffman said:
Cathy – got your site from a friend of mine. I was given up for adoption in the 60s as well – such a crazy different time than today. And I have a picture almost identical to the one you’ve posted above. I recently found my bio-mom, and am meeting her and my bio-sibs this week. I’m also an adoptive mom – adopted two older kids from foster care. I’m glad to have found your blog, and am eager to see the journey you’re embarking on. I’d be more than happy to share my story with you, and look forward to hearing more of yours.
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Cathy West said:
Jennifer, how wonderful! I will be praying all goes well for you this weekend. I can imagine you’re going through a lot of different emotions right now! 🙂 One thing I learned was that it’s okay to not know how to feel. One minute I was indescribably happy, the next I wanted to burst into tears. That’s why they call it the roller-coaster ride of your life! I would love to hear how it all goes! So glad you found my blog. 🙂
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bethkvogt said:
Cathy,
I am excited to see where this bend in the writing road leads you … and how God will use you in others’ lives. I know it will be for good — yours and others.
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Cathy West said:
Thanks, Beth! Always exciting when God opens new doors. 🙂
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Susan Mason said:
Good for you for being so brave! You will be a light for many people!
Best wishes….
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Elaine Jordan said:
Got my notice from Amazon a few days ago that my copy of Hidden in the Heart was being shipped – so looking forward to reading it. After 5 yrs. of infertility treatments, my husband & I decided to become foster/adopt parents to special need newborns. All of the babies that came to our home were born addicted. We ended up adopting 4 of those babies (2 sets of siblings) – they are now 19, 18, 13 & 11. Our kids have always known they were adopted – we continually tell them how blessed we are that God brought them to us; & no matter how they came into our lives – they are our children forever. Both birth mothers have had more than 10 kids, so we know that there are add’l birth siblings out there somewhere. I helped my 18 & 19 yr. old find 4 older birth siblings on Facebook. A few years ago when we were back in our home state (we moved 5 yrs. ago) for vacation – I arranged for our family to meet 3 of those siblings for dinner. It was such an incredible experience watching all 5 siblings realize how many things they had in common!
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Cathy West said:
Wow, Elaine! What a story! My sister and I are six years apart, she’s older, and when we met, it was incredible how many things we had in common, aside from physical similarities – food preferences, color, style…it was like twins separated at birth!!! Of course I always joke and say she lucked out not having me around to annoy her for 37 years so now I get to make up for lost time… 🙂
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