Bears In Court

Today was National Adoption Day, one of the best days of the year for those of us who work in the courts. One Judge, one Commissioner and a dedicated number of staff and volunteers helped 20 families adopt 24 children, each of whom went home with a bear to commemmorate the event. There was an official ceremony for each family, followed by proclamations and presentation of certificates and then a party with games, gifts, cupcakes and punch.

We all look forward to this once-a-year event since everyone goes home happy -- it's a 100% win for everybody. The kids show up dressed in their best, all scrubbed and shining and most bring their entire extended family, plus friends, so it turns out to be a pretty exciting and emotional event for everybody. We smile when the parents are asked to raise their right hands to take an oath and the child or children raise their hands too, not quite understanding what it's all about; we tear up when a father wipes tears from his eyes as he cradles his adopted newborn in his arms. Some of these children come from marginal or desperate situations and the parents have worked hard to get through the adoption process and it wasn't always easy but they never gave up. What better kind of family could a kid ask for?