Preparations for the Rose Parade are under way in my part of the world. Driving to work shortly before Christmas, I noticed banners up for the parade. One of the streets that I take to work every day is where the floats are parked after the parade. Since I work in Pasadena, the neighborhood near my office is busily preparing as well. Grandstands outside the bank that I use were being constructed and readied for the big event.

As any year draws to a close, I reflect on what's changed during the year. With my close ties to the adoption world, I tend to focus on what's happened the in adoption as well.

Some of the events in adoption/against children during the year that affected me:

1) News reports about cases like those in the Ricky Holland case where the adoptive parents were accused of heinous acts to children in their care;
2) The proliferation of Internet ads hawking adoption as the "perfect" solution and offering "help" to young women;
3) The obvious truth that there are still so many people to be educated about adoption;
4) The many children all over the world who really permanent homes;
5) My personal experiences with birth parents and adoptees who suffer such continuous pain from the damage caused by their closed adoptions.

The rays of light that I have seen in the adoption world in the past year:

1) Our new birth parent blogger Jenna who is articulate, honest and credible. She tells her story with candor and clarity and gets across some important messages;
2) The friendships that I have made with some adoptive mom bloggers like Sandra and Michelle;
3) The Evan B. Donaldson Report, a reputable group that has validated what many of us in the adoption reform community have known for a long time - that many serious reforms need to happen;
4) Ann Fessler's landmark book which is opening eyes all over the country and helping women heal by validating their pain;
5) Programs that are encouraging and supporting young women to parent their babies;
6) Signs that people are starting to understand that birth family ties and bonds matter to children.

I am optimistic that adoption and/or counseling for women in crisis pregnancie are heading in the right direction - not as fast as I would like, but nevertheless change is in the air. My hope for the new year is more progress towards humanizing adoption, and keeping original families together when possible.