Birthdays are a time to look at past and future. At 40, I am reflecting on the last decade. I have reached many goals - work, family & friends. The only thing missing from my life is a child. I always knew that I wanted to build my family through adoption. After a failed US adoption, I decided to pursue an international plan. It wasn&'t long until I received a referral for a little girl, traveled to Russia, & from the moment Olga crawled into my lap she has been a part of my heart. Sadly, politics got in the way of uniting us as a permanent family & she was placed with an Italian family. I am grateful that she can flourish outside the orphanage walls, loved by a family. This year has been bittersweet. Following months of soul searching, I have decided to adopt from the Kyrgyz Republic. Now you are probably now wondering why you have received this link & what this has to do with you. The road to adoption is long, emotionally draining & expensive. I have spent nearly $70,000 in 3 years, & I am still without a child in my home. Families struggle to find the funds to make their adoption dreams a reality. Adopt Together helps families meet the financial challenge of adoption, giving donors a tax-deduction benefiting both the designated & other registered families. In honor of my 40th birthday, I am requesting my friends & family to help "care for the orphan" in lieu of birthday gifts with a donation of $4, $40, $400, $4000 or $40,000. Every dollar will help me bring a child into my life & will also help bring other children into their forever families. I am most grateful for your consideration. XOXO, Diana
