The month of May brings wonderful thoughts of spring flowers, and Mother’s Day! As an adoptive mom, my mind floods with joys of parenting and my dreams for my children. I am also reminded of the challenges and how scary it is as a mom to watch them navigate the waters of adulthood. It’s thrilling to know fine young men and women who are adopted and thriving. Rebekah Brandenburg is one of them.
I met Rebekah’s mom, Tracy before Rebekah was born at a scrapbooking event. Over time we found that we shared a passion — adoption! She and her husband could not have children and were in the process of adopting. Tracy didn’t hesitate to share with me (a piano teacher) that she would eventually like them to take piano lessons. In time, the Brandenburgs were blessed with not one, but two adopted daughters, Rebekah and Abby! Just eight years later, I meet them for their first piano lesson. I am not supposed to have favorites, but these girls made it difficult!
Just recently, Rebekah (now 14 years old) approached me about a “Passion Project” she was doing in school. She chose adoption awareness as her topic and asked to interview me. I was struck by her maturity and her deep desire to make a difference by persuading women with unplanned pregnancies, especially teenagers, to consider the life inside them, and the beauty of a family “gifted” by a child through adoption. Rebekah was the obvious choice when considering whom I would interview for this article. (Rebekah’s responses to my questions are in red.)
1. How old were you when you first learned you were adopted, and how did you find out? How did you feel upon hearing the news? How do you feel now about being adopted?
I have known my entire life that I was adopted. My mom made a beautiful scrapbook when I was born that shared my adoption story. They have always spoken of my adoption as a “gift” from the Lord and a “gift” from my birth mom. My adoptive mom was able to be in the delivery room when I was born, and we have seen my biological mom and her family a few times over the years. I feel like being adopted gives me a great opportunity to witness of Christ’s love. I feel amazing about being adopted because I know I was loved enough by my birthmother who chose life for me. I feel blessed to be adopted by my parents and I love having a younger sister who was also adopted.
2. What feelings do you have toward your birthparents? Please describe your relationship with them.
I feel like my birthmother, Melissa, loved me and gifted me for adoption. Because she was only 18 and single, she didn’t feel she could provide a stable life for a baby. She wanted me to have a mom and dad who loved the Lord and could provide for my future. My birthfather is unknown to my birthmother and myself. I have four other biological half siblings through my birthmother. I have met the two oldest, but not the youngest twins. My parents are open to visiting with my birthmother and my biological siblings, but we have not made plans lately. I asked my biological grandfather to be my guest speaker for my sixth grade history project on Haiti. He has visited Haiti many times as a missionary.
3. How do you handle awkward or negative comments or questions about being adopted? What do you wish your friends really knew about adoption in general?
I went to a Christian school through eighth grade, so I never felt uncomfortable about my story of being adopted. Now I’m in public high school and it hasn’t been an issue. Being adopted has not affected my school life. This year, my English teacher gave us a year-long Passion Project. I chose adoption. It is my passion to share my story and also share how families can consider adopting or fostering to adopt as a way to show the Lord’s love to others.
4. Have you had any school assignments (like family trees, etc.) that did not take adoption into consideration? If so, how did you work this through with the teacher?
This year in health class, we had a discussion about blood type and genetic health concerns. I shared with my teacher privately that I was adopted. He suggested I talk with my parents about health risks that I may encounter in the future. I know that my birthmother has some health issues. This is helpful information as I could experience similar symptoms in the future.
