This is Just the Beginning
The ending of a chapter has fallen upon me, but I know that
the next one is going to be just as fruitful as the last. Before I leave
however, I wanted to share with you the things that have stuck with me from
this internship:
You are not just an intern when you
come to Gladney’s internship program. When you walk through the doors to be a part of this
workplace, you become part of the family that is Gladney. People take time to
know you, to encourage you, to celebrate with you, and to help you grow. There
is not a doubt in my mind that you become a part of the team fully when you
intern here. You will be lucky if you find such a loving and uplifting
workplace aside from Gladney. (I am positive
they’re out there, I am just biased.J)
Don’t be shy, MAKE FRIENDS!! Of all of the struggles Jesus could
have given me, I got the socially awkward one (among many other goofy quirks
that make me uniquely and wonderfully made), so believe me, I get how hard it
is to just put yourself out there. However, one of the things I have loved
about my internship is the friendships I have made or grown over the summer. I
met many amazing young women interning with me who all have such beautiful
gifts that make them blossom in this field. I will genuinely miss seeing each
of them and getting to know their hearts. But one of the things that make
interning here so comfortable is that the employees here are just as spirit
filled and loving. They don’t bite, so get to know their friendly faces as well;
they’ll be great role models to grow with!
Passion blossoms into advocacy. I got a star from last month’s staff meeting
(they’re like warm and fuzzies/encouragement notes) and I was called something
I never really thought about; an advocate. When I think of an advocate, I think
of someone in the front lines fighting for a cause; I certainly don’t think of
me. But when I think further, I think of Gladney employees being exactly that
and I am humbled to be considered along with them, a fighter for my passion;
adoption. Watching through shadowing opportunities, I have seen countless
moments where Gladney employees have advocated for children, birth parents, and
adoptive parents. To even be a part of what this organization daily arms up
for, leaves me in awe. So remember, you are an advocate, a champion, a
supporter, a fighter Creating Bright
Futures through Adoption! Never think that anything you do is not
helping the cause. J
There are three perspectives that
create the identity of adoption. As an adoptee and a birth mom, I came into this internship
understanding the bittersweet, the joyful, and the pain. I knew a little of the
perspective of what the adoptive parents go through, from hearing my parents
tell me about their experience adopting my sister and I, but after getting to
sit in on Domestic Orientation and Pathways Training, I got to witness some of
these amazing couples’ hearts and stories. I truly believe that being an
adoptive parent is a calling, and that these people want nothing more than to
give a child an abundantly opportune life filled with love. But I was reminded
that it is not an easy path. It is a waiting game full of emotions and these
couples drudge through that waiting season because they already love that child
they haven’t even met or been matched with yet. These children are so desired
and loved by all of the people that come into play during their adoption
journey.
The birth
mothers that work with Gladney are not forgotten, they are just as important as
any other client. I have watched so many people share the beauty and strength
of the birth mothers they have been blessed to know. Not only are the employees
raving about how amazing birth mothers are, but the adoptive parents that I met
during small groups in the Domestic Orientation, love that Gladney gives
support to birth moms. They want to uplift and encourage these women because
they adore birth moms. I cannot speak for all of the birth moms in the world,
but I can speak as a birth mom and say that the stigma of birth moms is not the
reality and that people like Gladney employees are making the positive movement
a reality. Birth moms are selfless, strong, and beautiful and I am proud of
what my sisters-through-adoption stand for.
I grew up
with a lot of adoptees and I have been blessed to get to know some incredible
Gladney babies during my internship that have reminded me how beautiful the
culture of adoption is from the perspective of an adopted child. Adoption is a
legacy that adoptees are proud to declare. Knowing as you grow up that you were
adopted creates this positive outlook on birth moms, family, and a genuine
understanding of what love REALLY
looks like. Hearing an adoptee tell
their story almost always has the same underlying passionate theme, they are
loved and they are so thankful for the life their birth mother selflessly gave
them. Every story is filled with its own details, but that’s what makes adopted
children so uniquely wonderful. Every child deserves a future family and every
child deserves to have an inextinguishable joy created by adoption.
You get what you pour out. In other words, this experience will
be whatever you make of it. The tools are all accessible to you and there are SO many people who will help you along
the way, you just have to gear up and venture out. I came into this internship
with one expectation, to grow. I am now coming out with clarity of what I want
to do with my degree, professional confidence, friendships, memories, a new
diet plan thanks to all of the free food (but seriously…), and so much more.
Gladney has impacted my life through this summer in ways I never thought were
possible in just 8 weeks. So don’t be afraid to ask people if they have any
time to show you what they do, ask people if they need help with anything, and
when you’re thrown a project that you have no idea how to do, be honest that
you don’t know how to do that YET,
but you WILL learn.
Lastly, enjoy every moment, because
all good things must temporarily come to an end. If you are like me, your last day
will be filled with bittersweet emotions because you just don’t want to leave
yet. So when you are feeling bummed that you have to leave this organization you fell in love with, remember that it's never goodbye here at Gladney.
If you want to be here, there are so many ways to fulfill that desire through
volunteering, advocating, or even working here and I truly hope that not only Gladney, but that the Adoption world will forever have a piece of your heart.
By Katie Reisor
Gladney birth mom, adoptee, and intern
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