A new family tree

By Terri Rimmer

HappyNews Citizen Journalist

One of the most interesting questions I get is, "Where does your daughter live?" That is a question that most people could answer without hesitation

"She lives with her adoptive family," I say today.

Once they find that out, some people want to hear all about it, and nine times out of 10,

they are intrigued and supportive.

I placed my newborn daughter for adoption in a semi-open arrangement in August 2000, and I get to see her twice a year. I also send and receive emails, cards, letters, gifts, videos and more as I see her life unfold before my very eyes.

What a gift! I know how lucky I am.

One of the coolest miracles about this life of mine regarding my daughter, McKenna, now 5 years old and getting ready to play soccer, is that I get to see my childhood spirit in her eyes.

She is a lot like I was—shy, caring, inquisitive, sensitive and curious, and she looks just like I did at that age.

When I found out I was pregnant back in January 2000, I knew I wanted her to have the best—great parents, a good life and a positive beginning. So I made sure she got all the ribbons and bows this world has to offer. Not necessarily material things, although that was icing on the cake, but an inner peace and a smooth beginning to her tiny life.

It's so important, I think, the way we begin in this world.

What I didn't bargain for was that I would have such a great relationship with the adoptive mom, a nurse and a fantastic mother also to an adoptive boy from another birth mom.

And Bryant, McKenna's adoptive brother, two years older than her, is her protector, her friend and her big sibling in every sense of the world. Before McKenna was born, Bryant's adoptive parents started telling him about her, reading books on adoption for kids to him, grooming him to be her big brother and all that entails so that by the time she came around, he loved her already.

The times I get to see her are such uplifting times and it is a great comfort and healer to know how happy she is and has been.

She had her first ballet recital last year, and this year when she had her second one, her adoptive father gave her a dozen roses to commemorate the occasion.

She has danced into many hearts, including my own, and I am happy to say that though I am not your "typical" mom, I am a mother to a wondrous little girl who I think about all the time.

It is exciting to see who she will become and who she already is.

It is a nice change to look at the world through her eyes and see the wonder of it all.

This story was produced by Happynews Citizen Journalist, Terri Rimmer. Rimmer works from Fort Worth, TX and frequently contributes to HappyNews.

For more information on contributing to Happynews, click here.