Each month we will feature a “retro” CPO article, one that is pulled from our archives of quarterly newsletters. Whenever possible we will provide details regarding the author and date of publication.
This month’s Retro CPO article was written by Cheryl Bauman, our founder and executive director. It was written in fall of 2008, and describes a letter she received from a waiting family.
One of the most wonderful “fringe benefits” of what I do is meeting the amazing people who would like to provide a home for a baby, whose birth mom is making an adoption plan.
Several years ago, I received the following note from a family. I did a big “office clean” recently and found it again, and just had to share it with you. It sums up how we see open adoption at CPO. If you are the person who wrote it, please let me know and I will give you credit.
“We are excited about adoption–and the unique way it will fulfill our desire to become parents. Open adoption appeals to us, because we love the truth. It seems to us that God shows up when we are honest about life, and when we look to Him to fill in the gaps. The fact is that real life on this ol’ earth isn’t perfect–far from it. There are successes, failures, miracles, tragedies, joys, and disappointments. Taken all together, this is life–and Jesus is here all the time.
Adoption doesn’t mean pretending that we had a baby. Adoption means building a family. And being grateful that our of a birth mom’s personal crisis–an unplanned pregnancy–and our personal crisis–infertility–we all can see God do something wonderful. We want the birth mom to be part of our lives, and for our child to grow to know what an amazing decision she has made on his or her behalf.”
CPO is not about finding babies for family. We are about finding families for babies. We are only open to families who see adoption as a ministry, not just to the baby, but to the birth family as well. Day after day, I receive calls from families who are only seeking to work with a ministry like CPO. God has called them to be a part of the truth that open adoption provides. They don’t see their child or children as possessions, but as precious gifts that He has loaned to them. That is what all children are, whether we give birth to them or adopt them. What an honor it is that He trusts us with his “Little Ones!”
