It always catches me off guard. Having been given the privilege of raising Turkey-man and Little-flower, I feel eternally indebted to the birth families so when they continue in their generosity towards us, it is humbling. For this week’s Monday’s Many Thanksgivings, I want to express how thankful I am for the bounty of love that we receive from these families.

They have already made an incredible sacrifice being willing to be left as a grieving family in the name of hoping for a better life for their child. I expect to receive nothing more after having been given so much.

Then the unexpected comes. Little-flower’s birth family includes Turkey-man in giving Christmas gifts. Turkey-man’s birth family showers Little-flower with love.

I get it when each family respectively adores their child. That part seems normal. It continues to amaze me when I see how inclusive the families are to our family as a whole.

It should not surprise me. Both birth-mothers demonstrated their ability to think outside of themselves when they made the initial decision to pursue adoption. My mind divides the adoptive experiences in two. It takes a conscious effort on my part to cross over the love between Mama-A and Little-flower and Mama-D and Turkey-man. I am sure each feels a stronger bond to their biological child, but they seem to recognize and embrace the importance of the sibling in their child’s life.

It is beautiful to experience this love. To say I am grateful is an understatement. We could not be more blessed to have these families in our lives, not just for the joy of the children we get to raise, but also for the gift that each of them are to our family.