All orphans

I have been finding myself wondering about all the other orphans in the orphanages. Not just around the world, but here in our country as well. I think I mentioned before that I am adopted. I was adopted when I was 3 months old. According to my friends mom, I was born in a hospital type home, where my birth mother was probably living there with me, obviously before I was born, but I don't know about after. Anyway, I am not sure what the laws and such were, but my parents got a call on a Friday, right around my 3 month birthday, and I was in their home on Monday. My mom has told me that she was always wondering if there would be a knock on the door and my (or my brother's) birth mom would be there. When we were older, probably in our teenage years, she told us we could find out who they were, if we wanted. Neither of us has. I know my brother has thought about it, as I have, and I always come to the same decision -- I don't want to find them.

Infants are pretty popular, and I believe there is a waiting list to adopt an infant in our country. Children don't just become orphaned at birth, though. What are our orphanages like? Do we even have any? Or are all the children in foster homes? I think children with Down syndrome may be popular here in our country as well. I thought I had read that somewhere. I do remember visiting some sites a few years ago looking for kids with DS. I can't say I remember what I found. Not many, that was for sure.

I feel so loved by my family. After 40 years I still need them, and they still help me out, in so many ways. My mom is truly one of my best friends. I get so sad for all children who do not have that. And it is not just orphaned children who don't have a loving home or family. It gets very overwhelming thinking about kids who don't have their basic needs met.

I guess sometimes I feel like I should be doing something more for all orphans, and not just the ones with Down syndrome. And I just don't know what else to say about that. On one hand, I think that a child with DS, especially older ones, would be more forgiving of their past than a child that does not have DS. In looking at my Owen, his nature is just so loving, and I think he would be able to adapt to a family who loved him. In looking at my Jason, while he is very sweet and caring, I think he might be bitter and would have a harder time adjusting to a new family. Does that make sense?

That said, I still really believe that all children really do deserve a family. I think Reece's Rainbow is a wonderful ministry!