The kids and I have been in San Diego for the past few weeks, with many of our days spent tromping happily through the vast acreage of Sea World San Diego. The highlight for the kids, always, is Blue Horizons. To visualize, think Broadway spectacular crossed with Cirque de Soleil, and throw in a cast of peppy dolphins and an array of trained birds. Cue the music. Add flags. That’s Blue Horizons.
I admit it. I also love the show.
But for my purposes here, I’ll tell you what happened right after our latest foray. The kids and I were browsing in the gift shop—of course–when a little girl about Olivia’s age walked up and began this conversation.
Little girl: “Are you their mother?”
Me: “Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”
Little girl: “Because you don’t look like them.”
Me: “You’re right. We don’t look alike. But I’m their mother.”
The little girl stared at me. Olivia picked at her fingernails. Mateo wandered away. Then, because I always feel an obligation to educate people, especially children who approach me with curiosity, I said, “I’m their mother through adoption. They were born in Guatemala.”
“Oh,” said the little girl. “Are they really brother and sister?”
“They are now,” I answered. And I took my kids’ hands and steered them toward the Forbidden Reef.
I have to tell you, as an adoptive mother, I always forget my children are adopted. And then, what do you know—someone comes up and reminds me.
ShareThisTags: adoption from Guatemala, adoptive families, transracial adoptive families
I always forget! And seriously we are mismatched!!! I think it’s easy to do because we are already in a school community (through my oldest) and so everyone knows us already. Then we are out somewhere else and get “the look” and I often check to see if someone is dirty, doing something wrong, mismatched (in clothing)…always takes me awhile to remember…
“Mismatched” exactly the word. Yet I, too, have to check–why are they looking at us? Then I remember. My children say they don’t mind when we’re someplace new and someone stops us. But I wonder.
I’ve been told on numerous occasions that I have a beautiful granddaughter! If I am in a hurry, I just say thanks! Ps am new to your blog and loved loved the book!
Oh the granddaughter comment… Yes. Sigh.
Thanks for reading, Cathy. So happy you loved the book!
Very moving post. So weird, this type of thing hasn’t happened to me in years. I keep trying to figure out why. I guess it will, when I least expect it…
Lucky. Here’s hoping it stays that way…