Why?

By Joanne Green

As parents by adoption, we often feel that we are under the scrutiny of the world, as though we owe an explanation of our most personal thoughts and decisions to total strangers.  Over the space of four years, I adopted three children.  All three of my children came from another country.  All three of my children were born with cleft.  The questions, from the start of our journey, until now, have poured in.  For the most part, most of the questions begin with “Why?”  Well, let me tell you why!

Why did it take me so long to adopt?  

Because my children weren’t born yet.

Why did I adopt from Korea?

Because my children were born in Korea.

Why did I choose to adopt children with cleft lip and palate?

Because Jacob, Joey and Jessica each happened to have a cleft lip and palate.

It’s just as simple as that.  These are the children of my heart.  I was led to them by God’s leading, and I knew from the first moment that I was aware of their lives that they were meant to be mine.  To have said no to any one of these three children would have been to say no to my own child.

To those who feel (and some have so said) that I should have adopted from our own back yard, or that I should have adopted children that “matched” me better, or that I should have adopted children who were “perfect”, I have but one question.    

Why?