Born in Our Hearts: Stories of Adoption [Paperback]

Filis Casey (Author), Marisa Catalina Casey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2004

A heartwarming collection of true stories that weave a rich tapestry of the adoption experience from many different perspectives: birthmothers, adoptive parents and grandparents, and adopted children and adults. These inspiring stories reveal the challenges and joys of the lifelong adoption journey including: the pain of letting go of a child; the wonderment of meeting "your" perfect child halfway around the world; the challenges of adopting an older child already set in his ways; watching a child's potential flourish in a loving environment; sibling rivalry and eventual bonding; integrating a child's culture into a new multiracial family; finding peace in the search for identity, roots and unanswered questions; and feeling the happiness and love that comes from forming a family.

While each story is unique, the emotions conveyed are universal: love, loss, hope and joy.

The collection will appeal to everyone affected by adoption, regardless of their phase in the journey.

Stunning black-and-white photos are included.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the spirit of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, the Caseys, a mother and daughter who were brought together by adoption, collect brief essays by parents who have adopted, by children who have been adopted and even by parents who were adopted and then adopted children of their own. For the Caseys (as well as for the rest of the contributors to this volume), the joys of adopting far outweigh the inconveniences of red tape and paperwork that the process usually entails. The pieces in this book celebrate those joys, as parents relate typical stories of the happiness children bring, as well as adoption-specific stories telling of the mixing of cultures that often takes place when a child from a different country is brought up in an American household. Many of the adopted children in this book come from China, Russia and South America, and a good number of stories will ring familiar bells with parents who’ve traveled to a faraway place to collect a child they have not yet met. While overwhelmingly upbeat, the essays do address the difficulties some families face regarding adoption, exploring common children’s questions of "Where do I fit in?" and "Why was I given up for adoption?" Though informal and somewhat clichéd, these stories are nonetheless heartfelt and may be enjoyed by anyone affected by adoption.
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About the Author

Filis Casey is the founder and president of The Alliance for Children, the first international adoption agency in Massachusetts. Since its inception, The Alliance has placed more than 4,000 children from countries including China, Latin America, India, Ecuador, Colombia and Russia. She is the mother of two biological children and one adopted child.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: HCI (June 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757301290
• ISBN-13: 978-0757301292
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #720,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inside each of us is a universal story worth telling, July 11, 2004

By 

sixoldcats "kids, cats & computers" (Greensboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born in Our Hearts: Stories of Adoption (Paperback)

If this book had been around when I was building my family through adoption almost 30 years ago, I wouldn't have felt so alone in my determination to be called "Mom." Every question that rumbled through my mind at that time would have found a response in the heartfelt insights of each contributor.

Born in Our Hearts offers readers brief glimpses of families at different stages of their journey through the lens of adoption. The stories touch on universal themes---unconditional love, searching, pride, jealousy, overcoming difficulty, courage, wonder---and keep it from being simply another "How To" book.

Is it fate or destiny that the child born in your heart comes to you and not to another family, or that the 16-month-old you are handed is not 3-year-old you were expecting? You'll be awed by the chance encounter of a father and his infant son from Ecuador with a world renowned Master as they stroll along a garden path, and touched by the power of a child to give a grandmother whose health is failing a new reason to live each day.

Filis Casey and her daughter Marisa Catalina Casey conceived of their book as a way to provide for the world's most vulnerable children, those living in orphanages. With no background in writing or publishing, their faith in the outcome of their effort parallels the leap of faith taken by all who are connected to adoption. All proceeds from the sale of Born in Our Hearts will go the The Alliance for Children Foundation in support of their goal. Another good reason to order your copy!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endearing and heartwarming!, January 13, 2005

By 

Bonnie DeLorme (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born in Our Hearts: Stories of Adoption (Paperback)

This book is so inspiring. As part of a family touched by adoption, I totally enjoyed these stories. Each one is better than the next! This is truly a book that will evoke many emotions; joy,fear,love,disapointment, and hope. Even if you have not been touched by adoption, this book speaks to everyone's heart. This is a great book to give as a gift or to share with a book club! The most important lesson to learn from Born In Our Hearts is that families are made from love, not biology!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Born In Our Hearts - Stories of Adoption, March 7, 2005

By 

Bonnie Croopnick "Bonnie Croopnick" (Ma.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born in Our Hearts: Stories of Adoption (Paperback)

Born In Our Hearts is a deeply honest book. A collection of adoption views written by the adopted children, the birth mother, the adoptive parents and grandparents. This book provides an insight and a true understanding into their world. It will leave you with a tear in your eye.

A MUST read for anyone dealing with children.