I love so many things about adoption that it's hard to choose just a few. Still, when asked to come up with just 10 while at a foster care/adoption picnic this afternoon, these were the ten I chose:

1. Adoption has given me a chance to love very specifically chosen children.

2. Adoption teaches that a heart doesn’t have a limited capacity to love, but rather seems to grow just the ‘right amount’ for each child.

3. Adoption has taught me more compassion. As my life has grown to include many different adopted children and all of their extended families, I’ve learned personal stories. Most stories have been of sadness and heartache and a need for more love. I’ve learned compassion.

4. Adopting special needs children has taught me about systems and helping people that I didn’t know. Without adopting my children, I would not have learned the depth of services provided by mental health systems, or early intervention programs, or even public school districts.

5. Adoption has given me a voice. My kids NEED me to be their advocate. I’m all they have left by the time they get to my home. If I don’t stand up and use my voice on their behalf, they will pay a heavy price. Love for these children has made it easy to use this louder voice!

6. I love watching my children discover and understand that it is okay to have and to love more than one set of parents.

7. I love the compassion that I have witnessed being taught to extended family members, church and community families. Adopted children are powerful examples and teachers. To see the world learn from them buoys my spirit.

8. I love that I’m not the birthmother of my children and that I love them so intensely. I love when adoption allows my kids to understand both of these as part of their truth.

9. Adoption has broadened my understanding of basic world relations. Internationally born children have taught me much about countries, rules and laws, diplomacy and decency.

10. Adoption has given me purpose. When I first looked into adopting a child, I was just a lady who wanted to add a child to our family. After experiencing all that is included in having completed that adoption – and many others – I have been changed. What I AM now is an adoptive mother. I am forever intertwined with all that adoption embraces, including actual adoptions, discovering truths about histories, helping other adoptive families, helping other children in need. Adoption is now who I am; it is my purpose.