The other day I shared with you Anna's story - a simplified but true version that I am easily able to tell her at bed time. I wanted to share a comment I received and give a follow-up:

Rakefet writes:

... I love the story, but maybe you could add where Anna was and what she was doing from the time she was born until you found her. After all, every person's story whether or not they were adopted, starts when they were born.

First of all excellent comment. I guess I didn't include the part that explains where Anna was before she came to our family because I don't always remember to include it. I don't have a script for the story, and am often falling asleep myself by the time I'm telling it (though I wish it was Anna falling asleep and not me... but that's neither here nor there).

We do talk about where Anna was before she came here. Anna was in foster care all her life, and thankfully spent the first fourteen months of her life with one family instead of being bounced around. We decided to stay in contact with Anna's foster family, and although they have since moved out of state, we still get together with them about twice a year. We exchange letters and talk on the phone every so often as well. There are pictures of Anna with their children in the photo collages we have on our bookshelves and walls. Anna's foster family is very much part of her past - and our present. It is definitely part of her story.

But I'm not a perfect parent, and I'm often drowsy and clinging to consciousness by the time I get her to bed. And if I skip a part, Anna often prompts me - just as Rakefet did this time. Thanks.