I made a little plate and then decided to put words on it… names.
I started with my last name, YOUNG, in the center. Then I put my first name… the names of my kids. I kept going, adding my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, nephews, nieces…
As I was adding names, I thought about a statement I made in court last fall… it was our adoption hearing. I put a couple of quotes from my statement on the rim of the plate…
LOVE IS NOT LIMITING, IT IS EXPANSIVE, AND HAS ROOM FOR EVERYONE
and
THE MAGIC OF FAMILY HAPPENED TO US.
Some relationships, even within a family, are more difficult than others. My own words encouraged me to keep going… to add my former wife. My son’s former wife. My kids’ biological parents and grandparents. I added names that were not easy to add. But love has room for everyone.
This plate is about inclusion, forgiveness, healing and hope. I didn’t know that when I started making it. I just took a little creative detour.
I can hardly wait to get this bisque fired and glazed. I want to hang it on my wall where some people can look for their name, and others can hear the story.
These people are part of me, and there is a story behind every name… a relationship that has helped to make me who I am today.
These people are part of me.
You can read part of my statement below:
I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time. Since long before I started this adoption process.
It felt like a slow journey of jumping through hoops and convincing people that I was serious, and knew what I was doing. Now it feels like the time went by fast.
Raymond and Summer and I are family, and have been, even prior to recognition by the court today. I didn’t have the joy of watching them grow up, but we came into one another’s lives when we needed each other. Already, we have created memories together and formed bonds of love between us.
I can’t explain how the magic of family happened to us, but I can say that from the moment I saw their profile online, I knew they were my kids. Call it love at first sight, or call it fate. I am so happy to be standing here today with so many people that have supported us, and with their expertise, brought this dream to reality.
Not long after meeting them a year ago, I gave Raymond and Summer pendants that have a quote by A.A. Milne. It says:
“Always remember
you are braver than you believe,
stronger than you seem,
smarter than you think,
and loved more than you know.”