Compassionate Care for Foster and Adoptive Parents
why "thE book"?
"Oh, the Places You'll Go"
We all know Dr. Seuss. We have all likely read many books created by Dr. Seuss in our youth, and have likely taken the messages learned with us in one way or another throughout our lives.
I was trying to think of something special that I could give my clients or the children that they were adopting as a memento of sorts. I did not want to give them a toy, or a plant or anything emblazoned with my name or contact information. It needed to be special.
This book, tells the perfect story of inspiration reflective of the lives of many of the children that I assisted in being adopted. You see, the basic story is that life is a journey. While on that journey, you may come across forks in the road where you have an option - and you may not take the right option for you. However, there is always another fork beyond that will take you back on the path the suits you best. In a sense, it reminds us all that there IS a tomorrow, and that there IS an opportunity for great things ahead. You just need to persevere and keep going.
Each book has a bookplate, with the child's adoptive name, the date, the name of the presiding judge and the phrase: "Today I Joined my Forever Family". Often, the judges will place an inscription or some words of encouragement by their name and signature. Yes, even my adult adoptees get "the book".
And I have given away hundreds of them. So many, that I had to receive permission from the Seuss Foundation to purchase them wholesale. Needless to say, they were as excited to grant me that permission as I was to be able to continue passing these along. What makes me doubly proud is that one of the judges that I appear before has taken on the practice of giving "the book" to adoptees as well!
