Why I Won't Promote Adoption

Here we are, only a few weeks from picking up our two beautiful children Tadesse and Biruk from their orphanage in Addis Ababa. Some friends are excited to ask me all sorts of questions, but some hang back, likely afraid that I'll corner them into adopting for themselves.

But I won't. Because I'm not like that. Instead, I'm going to tell you why you shouldn't.

Lessons Learned at 42

"Not to be offensive or anything, Mom, but how does it feel to get older? I mean, can you really tell?"

This is how the conversation with my 21-year-old son Caleb started, and it ended with my rather simple answer: "Besides my back getting a little sore sometimes, Caleb, I feel better than I have in years." 

In 1999 Robert Fulghum published the book All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The book was a best seller, and I loved it. There are a lot of things, though, that I didn't learn in kindergarten, that took me 42 years to understand, and still many more that I'm trying to figure out. Please blog with me by sharing in the comments section the lessons you've learned.

Advice from Friends

Some of my best lessons have come from my family members and friends. Today I'm not providing you with my own insight but the insights of those who have taught me much. I am only including initials so I don't embarrass anyone. I am firmly convinced that most of these people don't even realize that they've taught me something, so if you recognize your initials, thanks for being a positive example to me.

1. All you have to say is "no." H.Z.
2. No one is responsible for your happiness but you. N.V.
3. Sing...loud. D.T.
4. If you don't think you have time to help someone, think again. J.F.
5. Be generous in all you do. J.V.
6. Family first. R.G.
7. Forgive and then forgive again. C.V.
8. Have compassion especially on those who cannot defend themselves. B.B.
9. Keep it real. M.R.
10. If you say "yes" to one thing, remember that you are saying "no" to something or someone else. H.Z.
11. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. M.V.
12. Patience teaches more than irritation does. M.K.
13. Judge the sin, not the sinner. S.T.
14. Take time to giggle. E.V.
15. It really doesn't matter what others think of you as long as you know you're doing the right thing. K.V.
16. If it's not in your beliefs, don't make excuses. Just don't do it. W.E.
17. People trust you more if you're not perfect, either. A.R.
18. One well-placed comment is more humorous than a rehearsed joke. R.H.
19. Men can cook. J.F.
20. There are two things a person should never try to save money on: shoes and mattresses. J.T. (Okay, that was John Tesh, and he is not my friend.)
21. If someone asks you for the truth, tell it to him even if it hurts a little. G.V.
22. Sometimes the best thing a friend can do is listen. K.P.