Signing the paperwork at our "Giving and Receiving" Ceremony in Lang Son, Vietnam
I was reminded by Ed today that it was this date in 2007 — five years ago — that we adopted Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl. I have never been good with dates, and routinely forget birthdays and even my own wedding anniversary, and the adoption day is no exception. At the time, in Vietnam, it seemed that we could never forget the day, and of course, we didn’t. But in the stretch of daily living, work, school, therapy, dinner, bath, and bed, those momentous occasions sometimes get temporarily shelved.
Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl five years ago
I know other adoptive families celebrate on “family day,” and mark this event similarly to a birthday. In fact, adoption day is a day worth noting, but we have yet to figure out exactly what works for our family. We didn’t mark the day today, and perhaps finding a way to incorporate this day into our lives is something we can do with Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl as we discuss with them their adoption stories. I honestly don’t know what they understand about adoption. They know they were born in Vietnam, and that Ed and I went on a plane to meet them and bring them home. For five year olds, adoption must be an opaque idea. They can say the words — “I was born in Vietnam,” but what that means is murky.
We have time to think about how to mark this day with more ceremony, celebration, and even solemnity. After all, in joining into a family with us, Gorilla Girl and Monkey Man also left behind their families in Vietnam. This day is complicated for each of us because even with these new beginnings, simultaneously, each of us also experienced the loss that inevitably accompanies adoption. Marking the complexities with celebration and contemplation seems appropriate. What that will look like for our family is something we have yet to decide.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention 
I think it’s good you haven’t quite figured out what you want family day to mean for your family yet. No need to blindly follow everyone else. Make it your own!
Family Day — what a great day however you all decide to celebrate and or mark the day as MM and GG grow up. For me, a bit removed as the aunt/sister, I recall your long journey and time in Vietnam with much excitement. I did not know then how much GG and MM woudl imapct all our lives…..and they have in the best possible way and I look forward to marking this in a manner that provides purpsose to MM & GG.
BTW look at yoru long hair…..wow!!!
Congratulations on another family day! I, too, think about Doug’s understanding (or lack thereof) of what it means to be adopted, but I know that it develops further each year and hope that with continued discussions, he’ll be less upset about the “tricky” side of it when he gets to be that age. I just said to a friend the other day, though, “For all I know, Doug thinks that every child travels on two airplanes from far, far away to meet his or her family.” As for family day, we just have a “special” dinner, and I make him a photo book of the previous year (since I never got into scrapbooking to save memories).
Thanks, Jennifer. A photo books sounds like a great idea. I have tons of digital photos, but hardly any that are printed. I should print some so we can hold them in our hands!
I sort of feel like the blog is tracking a bit of what happens — maybe someday they will read it.
Beautiful story.
~Carmen
http://bakingismyzen.wordpress.com
All journeys are complicated. But by recognizing and naming their complexities, they ultimately become simple again, as they are centered in compassion for one another.
Happy family day!