Holidays Hurt: My Son Mourns His Biological Family

My son was recently asked to compose a poem about a person for his school assignment. Clearly, there was someone very special on his mind. I’ve asked for his permission to share this with you, the readers, because it reveals the heart of an adoptive child during the holiday season.

With the release of the movie “Instant Family,” we (the foster-adoptive community) are getting some important media attention. While I appreciate that, it’s important to remember that the trauma behind leaving one’s first family is deep and painful. It also doesn’t end on adoption day.

For context, my son hasn’t seen his sister in several years. She was only a toddler when he saw her last. And at that time, the foster family he was with never thought to tell him that his time with her was special. He never knew it would be the last time he’d ever see her. He never got to say goodbye.

My Little Sister

There is a girl I really like

I haven’t seen her in a long time

She is my little snowflake

I really wish she was still mine

With hair like glitter

And a smile like a dream

My mind remembers

All that I’ve ever seen

Oh! Little sister

My heart! My love!

I pray you’ll come back

My sweet little dove

And with that, I have no more words.

His pain is so real that it causes my fingers to shake as I type. It’s not movie magic. It’s not funny.

—

The author writes from an unabashed, had-it-up-to-here, daily defeated and re-strengthened by grace and hope… kind of place. An adoptive mother of a curious kiddo, full of spirit and sass, tells her tales of homeschooling, fostering, and raising children with special needs. Thanks for joining us on this adventure from adoption to life!

To stay up to date on new stories being published, be sure to subscribe to @AdoptionToLife on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.