Considering your child's loss

Have you ever considered what your adopted child had to give up? I'd like to think I've considered it. But often, I think about language, and that's about it.

I read a blog entry the other day that made me realize the magnitiude of sacrifice that is forced on internationally-adopted children, and how I need to be aware of that as my children grieve.

Their grief might not be tears. It might be refusal to eat the delicious meal I just made. Reluctance to learn a new word. Unbelievable fear of going to school, or church, or playgroup. Dislike of the great new clothes we purchased for them. Apprehension of certain sounds. Repulsion by certain smells.

In addition to the fact that there may be emotional and psychological scars from a less-than-ideal past, there is likely a sense of mourning for what has been lost.

I encourage you to read THIS BLOG ENTRY and consider the sacrifice. And I pray it will make a difference in how we deal with our children.