In a world where almost everyone has been touched by, or has some association with, adoption, it is amazing that the topic is still so foreign to so many of us. It is probable that there are more misconceptions about adoption than there are truths. Adoption is not about abandonment; adoption is about love. Only a mother who loves her child more than herself chooses adoption.

Adoption has changed over the years and it continues to change everyday. It used to be a topic shunned and ignored; perhaps this was so because there were many unaddressed fears for those involved. However, today adoption is becoming much more visible and wonderful things are happening. Fears are slowly being addressed and eliminated, feelings are slowly being shared with a result of understanding, and many are beginning to recognize that adoption does not equal abandonment. In fact, this could not be further from the truth. Adoption is a selfless decision where the needs of others are placed above personal needs and wants. Adoption is a wonderful way to build families. Adoption is a wonderful example of people helping people. Adoption is about second chances for everyone involved. Adoption is about love - the truest form of love when the love for another surpasses the love for oneself.

Today, adoption has evolved to address individual needs. Today, adoption plans are made and customized on an individual basis. Birth parents have the option of choosing a family for their child(ren). Both adoptive and birth parent families can decide how much knowledge and correspondence they desire to have with one another. The result of these changes is education in the place of ignorance. The very real needs of birth parents and adoptive parents are now being addressed and this helps everyone find comfort in their adoption decisions. A system such as this allows adopted children to grow with confidence and understanding. Questions can be answered because now the answers are known.

No two adoptions are the same. However, it is important to understand that birth parents who choose adoption do so out of love, not desperation or escape. And adoptive parents make their decision to adopt out of love, if this were not so the many complexities and legalities of the process would drive all adoptive parents away. Experience is the only true teacher, but adoption will continue to succeed as long as basic courtesy and understanding of the people involved and the process exist. It has been said that loving something and possessing it are not the same thing. No one understands this truth more than parents who have placed or adopted a child. Love is not divided; love is multiplied. Adoption is a choice of love.