I've been writing allot lately about our oldest son Thomas. We have two sons adopted from Thailand. Our first son is Philip. He was adopted when he was only 2 1/2 years old. He doesn't really remember not being our son! I have a friend who gave me a golden fork she swiped from the first class of Korean airlines. Philip always eats with this fork. He has the identity of a prince! I am very glad about this! Our trip to Thailand is mainly an attempt to build up the self worth of Thomas who was adopted at almost 7 years of age, and see's himself as an orphan!
The other day I was shopping with the boys. We were talking about the trip, and about birthmothers. I think Thomas really stopped listening. He only wanted to think about the swimming pool in Bangkok. Philip kept asking questions. He is beginning to really understand there is a birth mother, and father in Thailand. A family he may never know. Juergen and I plan to have a ceremony with the boys at the beach to honor those parents. We want to light some candles and set them adrift on the sea, and pray for these people who gave them the gift of life! Adoption has been in many ways like winning the lottery for the boys. But this is only one side of the coin. They won a new family, opportunities, health care, and a good education. They also lost a family, a culture, a language, growing up connected to a past. Philip is beginning to understand this loss. We hope we can help both boys understand, and feel comfortable with who they are (all of who they are). This photo was taken of Philip the first time we met him almost 5 1/2 years ago)