Gladney Blog

Dear Friends,

Our passion and belief were as strong in 2019 as they were in 1887. Every Child Deserves a Loving and Caring Family. Because of you, 211 children started their new lives in a forever family last year. Whether from an orphanage or foster home, or from a courageous expectant parent making an adoption plan, EVERY one of these children deserves the security and love of a family, and you made that happen.

MATCHED!

We got to meet with sweet 11 year old Miranda again during our Superkids trip to Taiwan in November. When she walked in the room I was struck by how tall she had gotten – she had easily grown several inches since we last visited with her. While I was excited to spend some time with her, I was sad to think about how she should be growing and thriving in a forever family.

Spring typically brings sights, sounds, and feelings of renewal. I love flowers, and spring brings a theme of growth to my mind. As we deal with COVID-19 and social distancing, I personally feel like some areas of life are on pause, while other areas are busier than ever. There is underlying anxiety for most of us, along with grief and loss for many.

Whatever this season looks like for you, please know we are so grateful for you thinking of and supporting Gladney. While most of our staff members are currently working remotely from home, our caseworkers are continuing to serve expectant mothers who are making an adoption plan, care for teenage girls in foster care in the Gladney Home, advocate to find adoptive families for waiting children in state foster care and international orphanages, and be with adoptive families when their new children are placed with them. Our mission continues.

Even in this challenging season, Gladney daily witnesses a spectrum of growth—babies literally growing and meeting developmental milestones; children who have experienced hurts understanding what it means to be loved and cared for and learning to trust; adoptive parents acknowledging they need support and reaching out for connection and resources; and birth mothers processing their grief and loss, while being proud of who they are and of their children.

Thank you for your support and involvement in their growth. Because of you, Gladney will be present and meet their individualized needs in a personal way—step by step, through changing seasons of life … during their adoption process and for years to come.

Soon to be 3 years old, Guy's file was prepared in September 2019.  At the time of file preparation his file states that he was thriving under excellent care by his caretaker.  Guy is able to walk and run on his own.  He is able to take off his shoes and put them on the shelf unassisted.  He is able to locate his favorite toy on the shelf - the ones that make music - and play with them on the mat.  He likes to dance and move his body when he hears music playing. He is reported to giggle with excitement when he dances!  Guy offers a hand when playtime is over and helps clean up.  His favorite activity is playing outdoors.  Wouldn't it be amazing to have Guy home with your family next spring, right before his next birthday, playing catch in the yard and swinging on his swing set?

Howard's file was prepared in the summer of 2019, when he was 1 1/2 years old. An update request has been made to find out more information about his health and developmental progress.

On the lookout for activities for your kids? We have some new coloring sheets as a gift for you! Really, they’re not just for kids—coloring is a fun and calming activity for adults, too.

We have met Mason several times with the Superkids team over the last few years. Mason is a considerate, smart, articulate and athletic 11 year old boy. He is currently in the 5^th grade and works hard at school – he even told me that he likes doing homework!

This April, 37 years ago, the day began as a normal one . . . heavily in the throes of tax season, getting ready for some meetings, and taking care of things for my father as my mother had passed away not quite two weeks earlier. Then at 9:00 am, the phone rang, and news that our baby girl was here was on the other end of the line. It was Mrs. Stafford, our Gladney Caseworker and "the very most important person in our lives.” In our minds and those of many of our friends, she held the key for our future as a family. Now having years of history with Gladney, I know Mrs. Stafford and many other very wise professionals were part of a very educated, emotional plan for the creation of our family and, needless to say, a plan for our children’s' birth mothers.

It was now about 10:00 am. I had laundered the gown I had purchased for this baby and was ironing it for some crazy reason - would she ever notice? Probably not. The doorbell rang, and it was a precious friend, bringing me flowers to lift my heart for missing my mother. She was greeted instead with huge tears of joy because our daughter Claire was now here!

Who would have thought I would be standing in the kitchen with my family in mid-April of my senior year when the governor made the announcement we were done? Deep down, I had a feeling this was coming, but it does not make it any easier. I left my high school on March 12, 2020, for spring break, unaware I would never walk back into the school as a student again. It leaves me... well, it leaves me heartbroken.

In August 2016, I began high school as a wide-eyed, nervous, awkward, metal-mouthed, and excited freshman. I had no idea how the next four years would shape me into the person I am today... a strong, confident, God-fearing, young woman, ready to take on the world.

I am the person I am today because of the people and experiences I have had over these past four years. I have had experiences that not many other high schoolers can say they have had, and I have met people who have pushed me to be the very best I can be.... people who encourage me to chase my dreams and improve every day.

From leading a student organization I started during freshman year to marching in the Rose Bowl Parade last year, I leave knowing I gave these past four years all I had to offer. I am walking away from high school knowing what it means to work hard and to persevere through hardships. I am walking away knowing the power of the connections you make with others and how those connections can lead you to do really great things.

I am crushed. I really am. I had no idea I would not see my third graders again and would not have any more study sessions at "my special table" at the top of the main stairs, where I spent many 4th periods, class times, and even after school hours. I did not know I had my last college math class in room 2465, where we stood outside and talked until the bell rang, forcing us to go in and get to work. I am going to miss the high fives from coaches in the hallway, my classmates, my teachers, and even parking in Timbuktu and walking in after interning at the elementary school. It hurts a lot knowing I am not going to have these experiences anymore, but I am looking forward to the day when I can go back in and reminisce on all of the memories high school gave me and talk to teachers again who made a huge difference in my life.

Over these past four years, I have learned to follow my heart in anything and everything I do. I have learned to try new things and put myself out there, even when I was afraid to do so. Most of all, I have figured out what I want to do in life. I can see beyond all of this and am excited for where I am headed. Is this year ending the way I wanted it to? Not at all, but there is no better feeling than closing one chapter, knowing I did all I could do.

Here's to the future, here's to more memories, and here's to adulthood. School may be done, but like they always said, "Once a jag, always a jag."

God Bless & Go Jags!

Zhanna, Gladney Adult Adoptee

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