What I've learned about adoption

I've learned that adoption is beautiful, painful and messy.

I've learned that adoption is a roller coaster of emotions and when you get off you aren't always laughing and smiling...but sometimes you are.
 
I've learned how easy it is to fall madly in love with a child you never gave birth to.
 I've learned that I will always carry a certain amount of grief and guilt from raising a child that another woman relinquished.

I've learned not to let others guilt me into doing things I don't believe will be healthy for my family, my child, or myself just because we've adopted.

I've learned that people say stupid, hurtful and dumb things...but in the end it doesn't matter.

I've learned to not second guess myself and to trust myself.

I've learned that sometimes birth parents need to distance themselves from the pain...and sometimes I need to too.

I've learned that there is no cookie cutter solution for the perfect adoption arrangement.  There are always variables and we can only do the best we can with what we are given.

I've learned the importance of closure.