When I logged onto Facebook this morning, I was greeted by a post in one of the many adoption/foster care groups that I participate in. It was a simple question, “What’s your favorite adoption song?” Wow. The responses were incredible.
I’ve had an adoption playlist on Spotify for a long time, but this morning it became SO much better. I’m so grateful for everyone who shared a song this morning – birthmoms, waiting families, foster families, adoptive families and adoptees. Now my playlist celebrates everyone in the process of adoption and foster care.
Every Foster/Adoptive Child
“There is no foster care or adoption without loss.” Karyn Purvis
There isn’t a child in this world who has been removed from their family of birth, for any reason, that doesn’t experience the loss of that connection. They wonder about their birth families, they question their identity, the struggle to belong, and they feel both the sadness of loss and the gratitude of being chosen. Many of these songs reflect the wonder in a child’s heart as they make sense of their own story.
Birthmothers
As foster and adoptive parents, we can be quick to forget the birthmothers who’ve lost a child—regardless of the circumstances. I’ve always counted it such a great privilege that children who were born to another woman call me mom. I never want to forget my girls’ first families, their moms, dads, siblings and other relatives who remember them and love them still. Many of these songs reflect the heartache and hope they have for the children that are being raised by another. They were, once again, a great reminder to me to be humbled that I’m an adoptive mom.
Waiting Families
I remember the wait for our first daughter—8 months. And that’s NOTHING compared to the wait that many families are going through. In the waiting, there is dreaming, disappointment, fear, anticipation, sadness and joy. Many of these songs reflect the hopefulness and endlessness of the wait for families that are longing to see the face, hear the laughter and touch the heart of their future children.
Foster Families
To stand in the gap for a child who has been temporarily removed from everything they’ve ever known is no small task. Foster families take children in their most vulnerable moments—in the middle of the greatest terror, heartbreak and loss of their lives. Many of these songs reflect the desire to mend the brokenness, provide safety and heal hurting hearts that foster families want so desperately for the children placed in their care.
Adoptive Families
Adopting a child is a life-long commitment—for better or for worse. Many families travel thousands of miles to bring their children home. While others, like ours, adopt from within their community through foster care. Regardless of how a child came into your heart and home, adoption means they’re a part of your family forever. Many of these songs reflect the joy and hopefulness of a parent’s heart as they promise forever to child that they barely know. It’s often the culmination of years of dreaming and waiting to bring their children home.
I hope these songs bless and inspire you as much as they do me!
(if you haven’t used Spotify, it’s free to use, just download and create an account)
Here’s the complete list:
Love Came Down, Brian Johnson
You’ll Be in My Heart, Phil Collins
I Wonder, Kellie Pickler
Feels Like Home, Chantal Kreviazuk
Bless The Broken Road, Rascal Flatts
Better Days, Goo Goo Dolls
Angel By Your Side, Fracesca Battistelli
I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz
A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
Everything to Me, Mark Schultz
Lullaby, Dixie Chicks
I See the Light, Mandy Mo0re “Tangled”
Happy Adoption Day, Mike & the Mighty Magic Pants
Forever and For Always, Shania Twain
Amos Story, Aaron Ivey
I Know You’re Out There Somewhere, The Moody Blues
I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You, (Elvis Version)
Somewhere Out There, Linda Ronstadt
I Choose You, Sara Barelles
At Last, Etta James
Haven’t Met You Yet, Michael Buble
When Love Takes You In, Steven Curtis Chapman
Kings & Queens, Audio Adrenaline
Overcomer, Mandisa
Naleigh Moon, Josh Kelley
We Thought You’d Be Here, Wes King
Beautiful Things, Gungor
Blackbird, Sarah McLachlan
See You Again, Carrie Underwood
I’ll Stand By You, Pretenders
Take Good Care of My Baby, Carole King
Wanted, Hunter Hayes
I Knew You Were Waiting For Me, George Michael & Aretha Franklin
All of Me, Matt Hammitt
Ho Hey, The Lumineers
I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons
Lovesong, Adele
I Knew I Loved You, Savage Garden
Blessings, Laura Story
I Get To Be The One, JJ Heller
This Is Home, Switchfoot
So Far To Find You, Casting Crowns
Have another song that would be great for the playlist? Share it in the comments section.
