

That Wonderful Adoption Option
She watched the program a little while longer, stood
up, and in mock wiping of perspiration
off
her brow
made this pronouncement, "Whew!" I greatly
appreciated and sensed her relief. Approximately 35
million babies have not been so fortunate in the last 27
years.
According to
U.S.A. Today,
the statistics that shape
our nation are a bit scary. Prior to 1973, 19% of
Caucasian babies and 2% of African-American babies
were put up for adoption by their unwed mothers.
Today the figure is 3% for Caucasian mothers and 1°/o
for the African-American mothers.
I
was not aware of it at the time that
I
spoke at
Christian Homes' 30th Annual Celebration of Life
Dinner in November 1993, but the week of November
19-25 is National Adoption Week.
I
would hope that
at least that week every year we would express a very
positive attitude toward adoption and manifest a fuller
understanding of both the sorrow and joy that adoption
brings to those involved.
It
is also my prayer that this
attitude may continue all throughout the year.
ODE TO
AN ADOPTED
CHILD
Not flesh of my flesh,
nor bone of my bone;
but still miraculously
my own.
Never forget
for a single minute
you didn't grow under my heart,
but in it.
208