Born in Our Hearts: Stories of Adoption

by Filis Casey

A heartwarming collection of true stories that weave a rich tapestry of the adoption experience from many different birthmothers, adoptive parents and grandparents, and adopted children and adults. These inspiring stories reveal the challenges and joys of the lifelong adoption journey the pain of letting go of a child; the wonderment of meeting "your" perfect child halfway around the world; the challenges of adopting an older child already set in his ways; watching a child's potential flourish in a loving environment; sibling rivalry and eventual bonding; integrating a child's culture into a new multiracial family; finding peace in the search for identity, roots and unanswered questions; and feeling the happiness and love that comes from forming a family. While each story is unique, the emotions conveyed are love, loss, hope and joy. The collection will appeal to everyone affected by adoption, regardless of their phase in the journey. Stunning black-and-white photos are included.

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction

309 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2004

Reviews

[Katie Kenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming anthology of adoption stories made my heart ache. I desperately wanted to take so many of the children home and love them forever - I could feel the impact they made on their adoptive families, and the love between those children and the people of their forever homes shone through the pages beautifully.

The book ended with a rather startling - for me, at least - tale involving an adoptive mother and her new son having an encounter with the Dalai Lama in a botanical gardens during one of his visits to the United States. It spoke to me more deeply than many other things have and oddly felt like a kind of reassurance that we're on the right path, my husband and I, in pursuing adoption ourselves.

For those not in the know, we converted to Buddhism several years ago, and the peace, awareness, and acceptance it taught us carried us through some of the worst times in our lives with some measure of life still in us. I greatly respect the Dalai Lama and read his teachings with the devotion of an avid student, so this blessing... it said to me something more personal that it was here, in this book, on this day.

[Rachel N · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to be honest, I did not find this book to be all that encouraging. A few of the stories were very moving, but most of them were all heartache and cynicism. The author's choice of stories heavily leaned toward the difficulties adopted children face - even, I would say, to the point of living in a victim mentality. (Don't we ALL, adopted or not, experience seasons of challenge in our lives?) I know many parents who have adopted, or adults who were adopted, and their "success" stories were poorly represented in this collection. I was disappointed and look forward to reading some more faith-filled books.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays and stories by adoptive parents and adopted children on the joys and value of the adoption experience. The book is motivating and touching, but glosses over the many difficulties that are also part of the adoption experience. This is a 'feel-good' book.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOD book

[Tommy Obenrader · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of the stories were very enjoyable and uplifting. I felt most were cynical and depressing.