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Letter from the Editor: In celebration of the new year, this issue of Open Adoption offers stories of both reflection and hope. On page one, you will find a collage of IAC’s newest families, followed by exciting announcements on page two, including the Holiday Card Contest Winner. We also reveal the look of our new and improved website set to take affect in late January. For a closer look, visit adoptionhelp.org.

On page three an adoptive mother reflects on the first six months of parenthood. What begins as an unsettling hospital experience, evolves into an inspirational story of lasting bonds and life lessons.

Our feature article, on page five, is an informal discussion between an adoptive mother and father on transracial adoption. They speak from personal experience rather than expertise, and the honesty and sensitivity of their conversation is refreshing.

On page eight, we feature a class assignment by six-year-old Sophia, who wrote a beautiful depiction of her family. On page nine, get to know Ashley Garrison, the Open Adoption Counselor in Atlanta, Georgia.

On page ten, hear from resident expert Kathleen Silber as she explains how to address adoption at different ages. As always, the final pages contain up-to-date birthparent statistics and upcoming support group dates. Enjoy!

– Ann Wrixon, MSW, MBA, Executive Director

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Recent events in Japan have reminded me of the importance of staying connected with friends and family. Myself and a few other IAC staff members have special connections with people in Japan whose lives have been heavily affected by these occurrences. How fortunate we are to have resources like the Internet and social media networks to keep us connected and up-to-date on what is going on in our world and what is happening to the people who are so important to us.

Open adoption is about staying connected. Sometimes we don’t even realize how important someone is to us, or how important someone will become, unless we keep a positive outlook and open mind. This means welcoming any opportunity to share your plans to adopt in a genuine and appropriate manner. Jennie Hurley addresses this in her networking success story on page 9, “Marketing Your Adoption Plan with an Open Heart.”

This also means welcoming your child’s birthmother as a unique extension of your family. Her existence to you is filled with every ounce of love that you have, or will have, for our child. And, she will always love him just as much. In the feature article, “…One Love” on page 5, readers will glimpse into the powerful connection between a birthfamily and adoptive family. The voices of the birthmom (Meryah Maddock) and adoptive mom (Wendy Crawford) are woven together in this surprising and heartwarming adventure.

Before we hear from IAC families, readers will get to see the “newest families” and IAC news and events. And, in “Marketing Force” on page 3, we’ll reveal the faces behind the IAC Marketing Department and find out what makes them tick.

We’ve saved the best for last, so on page 10, hear from resident expert Kathleen Silber. She shares some incredibly valuable information about how to approach the hospital experience of your child’s birth. There’s no better time to reinforce your connection with your child’s birthmother. As always, the final pages will supply updates on birthparent statistics, Open Adoption article submission information and the upcoming support group calendar. Enjoy!

For previous issues of Open Adoption Magazine visit our archives at http://www.adoptionhelp.org/news/newsletter

Highlights in this issue include IAC’s prestigious recognition by the Human Rights Campaign for excellence in LGBT adoption, the launch of IAC’s birthmother support network on iheartadoption.org, and an extensive marketing update including tips and tricks for using social media for adoption networking.

This issue’s feature article, “Bridge Between Two Worlds”, written by adoptive parents Daisy and Chris Linser, explores the letdowns and excitements of the adoption process, the overwhelming experience of matching, and finally, the unconditional love that endures for their adopted son and his birthmother. An undoubtedly hallmark story on open adoption.

Next read the story of adoptive parents Ted and Martha Lee as they explain their experience with a potentially “high risk” situation that couldn’t have ended more beautifully. Their son, Owen is featured on the cover.

And then there’s the voice of our resident expert Kathleen Silber, MSW, LCSW, IAC’s Associate Executive Director and Clinical Director, providing advice on how to approach the post-adoption relationship with your child’s birthmother. In this issue we also introduce Bobby Mills, IAC’s recommended attorney in North Carolina who provides information on adoption law in that state.