Angels in Adoption 2018
A couple days in D.C. – I’m still processing so much of our time there. I wanted to share a few photos I posted on Instagram from our time because the links and resources are important – especially Angela’s at the end.
We were in D.C. to participate in The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus 2018 Angels in Adoption event. Chris is the Executive Director of the 111Project, which was honored as a 2018 Angel in Adoption.
While Chris was in meetings one day, I had the entire day alone wandering streets and museums. I love traveling and exploring with my kids and Chris, but I am crazy giddy when given the chance to do it alone. Being alone and exploring are two of the most energizing things for me – it was a good day.
Chris was pinned with the Angel in Adoption pin on Tuesday morning. I forced him to pose in the Senate building for me. He isn’t flashy. He doesn’t demand the attention of a room, but it usually lands on him anyway. He is quick to deflect praise and point positive attention to others. He is unassuming, yet I get to watch his bold leadership play out behind the big stage. I hear him answer the phone to help foster parents, guide lawyers, raise the bar for public servants, empower birth parents, listen to foster youth, challenge church leaders, support case workers, and educate those wanting to learn. I’d say I have the best view and it was fun sitting back and watching him be recognized.
One highlight of the event was meeting others in the adoption realm – fellow adoptive parents, adoptees, foster parents, organizations, etc. So many incredible stories and passionate individuals. Being a fly on the wall in those rooms was inspiring and hopeful.
As an adoptive mom and adoption advocate, I hang on every word of adult adoptees and birth parents who choose to share their stories. Their voices, their stories, their wisdom, their truths are so important to me – they need to be heard, especially in adoptive parent and adoption advocacy circles.
While in D.C. I had the honor of meeting Angela Tucker of The Adopted Life. Angela is strengthening the adoption community by empowering adoptees. She also uses her platform and influence to speak on transracial adoption from the adoptee’s perspective – a narrative far too often not heard. As the mom of a trans-racially adopted daughter, I’m grateful to humbly learn from Angela and others. Please take time to view her blog, documentary, and Adopted Life episodes – you’ll be grateful for her voice.
It will take me months to process all I heard and saw at the adoption related events – not to mention trying to wrap my heart and mind around the museums I visited. My journal is full. My mind is tired. My heart is broken, and yet full of hope.
