Kamala

Dear Expectant Mother,
My name is Kamala and I would like you to know first and foremost, the respect I have for you in making this loving choice of adoption. I am grateful to you for taking a moment to get to know me through this letter and hope that we may be able to meet in the near future. All my life, in my work and play, children have been center stage and now, I dream of becoming a mother through open adoption. Over the years, I have helped friends deliver their babies, been an active godparent, and kept focused on always advocating for children. But now, I am ready and eager to become a parent and to love and care for a son or daughter.

A Little About Me
At a very young age, I knew I was going to be a teacher. I was in the 3rd grade and I started a read-aloud group with the kindergarten class. Later in life, I attended UC Berkeley, fell in love with the Bay Area and have been here ever since. Initially, I worked in public schools as a teacher of children with special needs. I then worked as a program director, a teacher coach, and then a counselor. My work also has involved assisting immigrant families from all over the world by supporting them to feel welcome in their children’s schools.

Currently, I work in a Kindergarten-12th grade alternative public school in which I teach 5th-8th grade students one-on-one and I mentor high school students. The small and intimate setting allows me to provide each student with an academic program in which we discover his or her academic and recreational interests so as to make learning a larger part of life, going beyond the classroom.

Spending a lot of time outdoors is my favorite activity. I explore the local trails with my nephew, swim in the community pool down the street and picnic at the nearby beach with friends.

My hobbies include dancing, yoga, reading and shopping at the local Organic Farmer’s Market. I enjoy cooking fresh, healthy foods and trying new nutritional recipes. Additionally, I love singing, theater and making art projects with my kid friends.

My Family
I was raised in a close and affectionate family in a small, historic town 18 miles from Boston. My parents still live in Concord, Massachusetts, where I return often. I had a happy childhood and was raised to respect all people. Caring about myself and others was instilled in me at a very young age. My parents encouraged my younger brother and me to do our best and follow our own path. As a young child, my parents also supported us in our expressions of ourselves while they found unique ways for us to learn the important lessons of life.

For several summers, my family camped in a shack in the sand dunes of Cape Cod, exploring nature and all its challenges and wonders (no electricity or plumbing!) It was a time for self-contemplation as well as play time as a family. I look forward to sharing similar experiences like this with a child.

There are so many wonderful childhood memories that I hold dear. I had two grandmothers that were actively involved in my younger years. With one, I would play the violin and talk forever and with the other, I’d make art projects and travel.

My parents and I are still very close and we see each other often. Every summer, we plan a family vacation at my parent’s home on the shore in Cape Cod. It is a time for us as a family to catch up on each others’ lives, walk the beach, cook seafood, and enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks from the deck with friends. My younger brother has a son and my parents adore their grandson. They are excited about sharing their love with a new addition to the family.

My Home
My home is nestled in the Berkeley hills, within walking distance to playgrounds, hiking trails and excellent schools. My house has a very outdoor nature feel to it with a lot of windows and sunlight. There is a library close by and diverse small town environment. My yard has a big grandmother redwood tree and is full of flowers, apple and plum trees. Friendly families with small children spend a lot of time together playing ball and at BBQ’s in our culde- sac neighborhood.

My Friends
I have a very special group of close friends – we call each other circle sisters. We are all extended family members to one other. We get together often to eat, talk and celebrate important events in our lives. They are all so excited to be “aunties” and each of them cannot wait for their chance to babysit.

Heidi, another dear friend, and her parents and brothers are like a second family to me. I’m always invited to their house for holidays and they have a house in Sicily that I look forward to taking my son or daughter to someday.

I met Arlene 21 years ago in my first teaching job. She was my boss and quickly became my mentor and friend and has loved me as a niece. She is extremely excited about welcoming the new addition to my family.

Mart who lives in Arizona and Cynthia in Maine are two dear friends I’ve known since childhood and I am godmother to their children. They are fabulous parents and will be wonderful resources for me when I become a parent.

My close friend Toni has encouraged me for a long time to pursue open adoption and she and her husband are eager to help nurture a new baby.

My Values
Throughout my life, I have focused on creating a loving and secure environment for myself and my extended family. I am fortunate enough to have the fi nancial security to raise a child on my own, as well as a very fl exible work schedule that will allow me to take as much time off as needed.

Sharing my life with a child in which to play, learn, and explore the world around us I look forward to. As a parent, I will be committed to the importance of loving a child completely, of listening deeply and encouraging wholeheartedly.

I value the importance of a good education from pre-school through college and will promote a range of learning opportunities. The spiritual concepts of compassion, generosity, and conscientiousness guide my actions.

Traveling is a passion of mine. I have been able to visit France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Morocco, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Belize, the Caribbean Islands and Canada. From all the adventures including dancing on a rooftop in Bali with my grandma and studying Spanish in Mexico, I have appreciated the learning and love that has come to me when I’ve opened up my world to other cultures and ways of life. My openness to life will benefi t a child as he or she will be encouraged to experience all cultures and beliefs.

In Closing
Thank you again for reading this letter. I imagine this is a very challenging time for you and I respect your courage and commitment to doing what is right for you and your child at this time. Please know how incredibly excited I am for this opportunity to begin to build my family through open adoption. If there’s anything you’d like to talk about with me, please call me at my toll free number 1-888-526-2520 or e-mail me at Kamala41@gmail.com, or call my adoption attorney, Susan Romer, at 1-800-U-ADOPT-US (1-800-823- 6788) or e-mail her at adamsromer@aol.com.

Kamala

P.S. Here's a note from my Mom and Dad:
About Our Daughter: “From a very early age Kamala has been excited by the world around her; blue skies, butterflies and the wind waving through field grasses. To this day, she remains thrilled by new discoveries and insights. In observing Kamala with children, we have noticed that kids feel really comfortable with her. We think it’s because she listens so carefully to what they have to say and she respects and appreciates them as individuals. She also has a deep commitment to her friends and never takes them for granted. Kamala goes out of her way to stay in touch with her close friends but she is also extremely helpful and supportive with anyone that she comes in contact with. We’ve always felt that Kamala was destined to be a mom. As her parents (Mom and Dad), we look forward to participating in the wonderful times together with her and the new addition to our family.”