I spend entirely too much time online, reading other people’s blogs. It’s what a call a neutral addiction. It’s not hurting anyone – I’m not flying into a drunk rage or throwing my life away or getting arrested. I’m just quietly wasting lots and lots of time.
But part of the reason I am so consumed with reading blogs is that sometimes I feel a bit isolated as a transracial family. IRL (that means in real life, for those of you not spending all your waking hours online) I really don’t know any families that look like ours. When I first started hearing about this blog thing, I had no idea what blogging meant or what it was about. I stumbled upon Jamie’s blog and saw a family that looked a lot like mine. I started reading about her family every day, really just out of curiosity to see another mom, my age, with adopted and bio kids, choosing to adopt again. Then I followed some of her links. I came upon Tara and Christine, and then found links to Angel and Rockstar’s Wife and suddenly I found this whole world of virtual community. In a weird way, it really felt validating that there were LOTS of other families out there like mine. I may not see them every day. But they are out there.
And now, I even feel a little bolstered by it. Inspired, even. I read the blogs of Heidi and The McBride’s and think, you know? Maybe God is calling us to adopt even more. Maybe I need to rethink my idea of family, and comfort, and needs vs. wants. They are doing it. I can do it.
I don’t know if that would be true if it was just me, all by my lonesome. I am thankful for the blogging community of adoptive parents, and the way God is using it to shape my passion for children, and making me a little braver in my decisions.
So is this saving the world? Maybe not. But if I’m inspired by these blogs, and each of us inspired just one family to adopt a child, and in turn they inspire one more family . . . . in a few years we just might solve the world’s orphan problem.
Awesome!!
I loved reading this. I can relate even though we do not have our child home yet. I have enjoyed reading the stories of others, learning from them, and finding encouragement in their words.
I’ve often felt the same way — about my blogging addiction and connections. I used to think that no one except me had a miscarriage, then we all started talking about them online and it’s like falling into a cushion of sisterhood.
And I, for one, am feeling pretty inspired about adoption right now. If I can get the hubs on board, I can imagine pulling it off some day. And tonight we talked about transracial adoption too. Just so’s you know!
It is saving the world. One life at a time…….Absolutely,
I sure hope we can make a difference. I really do… That is a big part of why we started RLC. We don’t want people to feel all alone in this thing. It makes us feel powerless to change anything. Still though- on days when I am tired I wonder if I can even make a dent. Maybe not but I could make a difference to someone right? Hugs, Angel
Ive been inspired by theese blogs to adopt, i was doing an Ethiopia projec and came across the Our Big Crazy Family blog (link is on my blog at the side), i’d always sort of wanted to adopt but it was that blog that made me want to Adopt fro Ethipia and made it feel more real.It really does work (i’ve beee inspired to adopt at least 3)
Great post! Adoption is a wonderful thing! Your children are beautiful!
I love the way blogs connect people and stories too!!! It makes me feel much less alone down here knowing that people who care read — and being able to read about their lives as well.
Amen! I have a frightening knowledge of people I don’t even know. I’ve been so inspired and learned so much though too!
If blogging hasn’t saved the world, it certainly has saved me from complete insanity a time or two. It is good to share thoughts, tips, funny stories, even troubles. Glad you are out there!
you ROCK! love your blog and I just checked out ROCKSTAR wife blog too 🙂
Anyway, I honestly do think its inspiring reading about peoples stories-and how they feel led to grow their families.