September 26, 2011

More than just one tree

There’s no question that adoption makes it slightly more difficult for some to investigate the lineage, blood lines, and heritage of their birth family.  Although families are not solely bound by blood, it’s understandable that some people would interested in where they came from and their historical background.

In an article written for The Guardian entitled “Three adoptions in the family,” biographer Lynn Night describes just that. “Recently, when I told someone of this history, they gasped and said: “You’ve got no past.” The more I talk about the adoptions, the more I realise how hard it is for other people to get their heads around the idea,” Night says.

Although Night was not adopted, her mother, great-grandfather and great-aunt all were — giving her a rich, diverse history and expansive lineage that spans more than just the metaphorical tree. Night’s article is a vital read for all people individuals involved in the adoption world, because rather than lamenting having to search a bit to uncover her heritage, she recounts the thrill of the experience and the pleasure she takes in having such an extraordinary, extensive family. “The more I think about the three adoptions in my own family, the more I realise that what they mean to me cuts across other people’s expectations of strain and discord. The adoptions have given me a tremendous sense of inheritance, and of luck. I feel lucky to be part of this extraordinary family,” she says.

The lesson here is that a past is a past, regardless of how it’s culturally defined. Even if you’re not adopted, what came before you is a treasure trove of secrets whose influence is undeniable. We’re definitely printing and saving Night’s story — a great reminder of adoption’s connective spirit.