“We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Today marks the 2 year mark for Samuel’s American homecoming.
The boys then:
November 6, 2010. First day in the U.S.
The boys now:
Photo by Lori Dorman
Some adoptive families celebrate this day and some do not for various reasons (the loss of the birth family, trauma associated, loss of country, etc…)
This election day we are celebrating not only our right to vote, but for the great strides we have made this year as an American family given the freedom to pursue our son’s reconnection with his first family. Our desire for a global community is being made possible by this liberty.
Samuel’s birth/first mother welcoming me into their home.
American election season is sometimes mean, ugly, or silly. We have the the luxury to take any of these stances.
So, today we are celebrating being American. Good, bad, or ugly- we are proud to be a part of a country where we continue to have great hope for betterment and improvement. I’ve seen oppression in other parts of the world, but here I see possibility (yes, still).
Quotes from the past for the consideration of our future:
“While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable.”
- George Washington
“Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. “
-Thomas Jefferson
“Under the law of nature, all men are born free, every one comes into the world with a right to his own person, which includes the liberty of moving and using it at his own. This is what is called personal liberty, and is given him by the author of nature, because necessary for his own sustenance.”
- Thomas Jefferson
“What I do say is, that no man is good enough to govern another man, without that other’s consent. I say this is the leading principle – the sheet anchor of American republicanism.”
- Abraham Lincoln
“…the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic-the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
“Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights and keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder.”
- John F. Kennedy
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- Samuel’s birth mother getting to see Samuel’s present image for the first time.
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- Samuel’s birth/first mother welcoming me into their home.
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- Inside the current home. With Jay Gordon and Jillian Clinton.
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- Photo By Lori Dorman
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- Photo By Lori Dorman
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- Photo by Lori Dorman
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- Photo by Lori Dorman
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- Photo by Lori Dorman
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- Photo by Lori Dorman
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- Photo by Lori Dorman
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- Photo by Lori Dorman
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- Samuel’s US homecoming, day 1.
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- November 6, 2010. First day in the U.S.
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- First few hours of being in the US.
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- Within the first hour of being home. They are still like this.
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- Samuel at the airport. I can’t imagine how scary that must have been for him.
Wondering if you might offer your advice/perspective on this:
I volunteer as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for two boys whose mother lost custody of them. They have been living with their aunt and uncle for a while now, and I think that their aunt and uncle are wonderful people. The aunt and uncle are now going to adopt the boys (scheduled for Nov. 16) and I strongly feel that this is a positive thing for them. However, the oldest boy (he is 8) has mixed emotions about being adopted. He, of course, is mourning the fact that he will never be raised by his mother. Despite her faults (mostly drug addiction) he still loves her very much, which is obviously understandable.
I would like to get the boys a gift commemorating their adoption on Nov. 16, but I want to be sensitive to the fact that this isn’t entirely a celebration. Do you have any ideas? Anything I should say to the oldest boy as well would be appreciated.
Oh my goodness! We are so lucky to have him! Love to y’all on this great day! xoxox
What a beautiful homage and celebration!
Welcome to more love Samuel,
for you are very loved all over the world!
As are you Aram xox
Thank you once again for sharing your story and family Jamie, you teach as you share.