Atti

I was just contemplating the joy that Atticus has brought to my life.  And wondering if I could have really understood just how much I would love him when we first found out he would be joining our family.

It's an interesting thing about adoption.  When your biological children have children, of course you don't even think about whether or not you can love them fully.  It's your baby having a baby!  Your DNA continuing on for a new generation!  There's no thought about it because there's no question about it. 

Adoption is different simply because you DO think about it.  It's not different in the sense that it will still be your baby's baby, and of course you could do no less than love that child.  But it's like a conscious thought ... "I will love the baby, no matter what.  Right?"  A little bit of an unknown factor.  A firm decision to love that baby as though he was of your own family, but a decision nonetheless.

Well, here's what I have learned ... no matter the circumstance, Atti is ours, as he was meant to be.  He is a gift for which I am eternally grateful every single day.  Not just for the peace and love he brought to his mom and dad, but for simply existing and being who he is.  He is my family.