Growing Up

Today, while we were at storytime at the library, I met a woman who is from the same town in South Korea that Riley is. On the way home I was telling Riley about her. It sparked a whole conversation about his being adopted.

R: "Mom, when am I going to be adopted again?"

Me: "Well, Riley, when your daddy and I adopted you it was forever. We will be your family forever...your mommy and your daddy forever. So you won't be adopted again."

R: "What about when I go to heaven? Am I going to be adopted then?"

Me: "Riley, do you know what it means that you were adopted into our family? There was a very special lady whose tummy you grew in. She couldn't take care of you but she loved you very, very much. She wanted you to have a mommy and a daddy that could take care of you forever. And we wanted a baby that we could love and that's how you became a part of our family."

R: "Did she love me more than you?"

Me: "We both love you very, very much."

R: "I bet she cries a lot."

Me: "Why do you think that?"

R: "Because she doesn't have a baby boy any more."

Me: "You know, Riley, I bet she cried and cried a lot at first. But, I bet now even when she feels sad she's so happy that you have a family who loves you. Mommy has written her letters and sends her pictures to let her know that you are doing so well and getting so big. That way, even though she doesn't see you every day, she can still see that you are growing up."

R: "Do you think one day I could visit her?"

Me: "I hope so, Riley."

R: "Me, too. Can you take a picture of me jumping off the diving board so that she can see me do that?"

Me: "Yes, Riley, I'd be glad to."