We all see the commercials about adoption, how it only takes someone who is willing to love. Well honestly I've never heard anything more true. I was adopted myself when I was around thirteen years old. The money was tight for the family who took me in and they didn't have to adopt me. They knew what I had been through and really began to love me as their own. That is why the statement is so true, because I just needed someone to be there for me, and they stepped up. I've lived with this family for nine years going on ten and I have learned so much by being adopted. I learned forgiveness. My father was an abusive alcoholic and when I was older I resented the man I called my father. Why would I ever love a man who would make my life the way it is and not love me? As I got older though, I learned that he was still my father and I should still love him for being that, but I didn't necessarily have to like him. I learned how having a family doesn't just run in the blood lines. I've always felt like I've been a part of my adopted family because they made the effort to make sure I felt just like another one of their kids.

Adoption was one of the greatest things that happened to me in my life and changed the way I thought about everything. I learned that life isn't always going to be easy, but you have to see the light in the little things. We didn't always have money and we sometimes struggled to make ends meet, but we made the most out of events that we did go to. Many times people think that you have to have lots of money to be able to adopt a kid or you have to bring something special to the table. My parents are very special to me and they are amazing in every way, but they are still human and make mistakes. They still did everything they could to make my life better and that is honestly all it really takes is some effort. I always have people ask me about adoption and say they are thinking about doing it some day. What I say to that is YES! The best thing you can do for a kid who is in need of a home is adopt them. I am seriously forever grateful for my parents and the things they do for me. Adoption gave me my life back and allowed me to become everything that I've wanted to be. I'm going to college, I am very happy now (because I realize all the great things that were given to me), and I know that there are people who love me very much. So, again if you are thinking about adoption, I say go for it and give the child a new shot at life, and it doesn't take money or anything else, it just takes someone who is willing to try.