You're adopting a black baby????

Though I really intended on continuing my personal story today, I can't be constrained by chronological sequence. I dropped my 3 year old son, Kingston, off at daycare this morning and another mother couldn't hide the puzzled expression on her face. It was written all over her.

Yes, Kingston is my beautiful, cherished, African American baby boy. My eyes light up when I see him or at the mention of his name. His laughter is contagious and he is so gentle, loving and funny. He is truly just "happy to be here." He has a carefree disposition that radiates the love that surrounds him.

Call me crazy, but I had no idea that trans racial adoption would be such an issue. I was raised in a very small, only white southern town, but just never looked at the color of other's skin even though most residents are quite racist.

After the scam, we were made aware of a potential adoption situation. The potential birthmother was a young woman with a small child that couldn't afford, nor was emotionally ready for another child. The birthfather was unknown. The situation sounded like a good match to Chris and I and after a night of praying, we decided to go on with the adoption. Within a few days, I made contact with the potential birthmother, Trisha* and we spoke easily and freely with one another. A couple of weeks later, we drove 7 hours to spend the weekend getting to know her.

Trisha was a sweet girl, unless someone crossed her wrong. She had quite a fiery temper, but after learning of her childhood, she was tough and was used to making her own way. We accompanied her to the attorney's office and the doctor's appointment. A Dateline corespondent and camera crew followed us to the OB/GYN and was able to capture that precious moment when we heard our baby's heartbeat. What a beautiful memory. After the weekend, we continued a very close relationship throughout the remanding 2 months of her pregnancy.

Nothing could have prepared me for telling my family about the adoption situation. Part of my family were thrilled and the fact that we were all white as the driven snow and the baby would be black was a non issue. They were excited and overjoyed at the new baby we would be able to raise and love. The other half of my family? Not so much. "Why don't you wait for something better to come around?" "You don't have to settle for a black baby." "Maybe he won't be very dark." "I don't know if I can love a baby that isn't white like us." (Those are actual quotes I heard) Needless to say, all hell broke loose. I pitched a royal fit and said that it was all of us, or none of us. I told them if they ever treated this baby any differently than they did Kennedy, they would loose us all. I made one particular family member, that was used to talking to me at least once a day and was crazy about Kennedy, go two weeks without any contact at all. At the end of that period, I asked her how it felt for us to be out of her life and she told me she would love our new baby as she loved us.

Yes, that was over 3 years ago and my, how things have changed. Kingston is cherished and loved by each and every member of my family. They beam with pride when they watch him at his preschool Christmas program or walking into church. There isn't anyone whose heart he hasn't captured. After all, doesn't love know no color?

Lets try to love each other as Christ loves us....without prejudice, without preconceived notions, without barriers. I will celebrate the beautiful blessings God has given me in my children and will continue to stand in awe that he loves me enough to choose me to be their Mommy.