So often when we talk about transracial adoption, or contemplate transracial adoption or read about transracial adoption, we hear about the difficulties. We hear about the challenges. What will our families think? What will our neighbors think? What will the child think? What will the community think? How can I raise a child of another race? Etc. etc. etc.

I think it is way overdue for us to do some thinking on the blessings of transracial adoption. Yes, there are challenges and difficulties associated with parenting a child of a different race than yourself, but I promise that the blessings are just as numerous.

My world has been completely changed by my children. I grew up in NY, in what I considered to be a very diverse neighborhood. I had friends of many different races I certainly would have considered myself to be aware and respectful of people of other races and other cultures. But when you adopt a child of another race or culture, it is much different than having a friend of another race or culture. Because that race and culture is not just your child's, it becomes a part of your family, and a part of who you are.

Embracing a new culture, and making it a part of your family, opens you and your family to a whole new world of experiences. You can learn a new language. You try new foods. You get to wear new types of clothing. You get to listen to new music and watch movies you probably never would have watched. You celebrate new holidays and learn about people and events in history that would never have gotten your attention before. You meet people and become part of communities that before were unnoticed by you. Tranracial and transcultural adoption give you the opportunities to broaden your horizons, expand your perspectives and enrich your life in a whole variety of new ways.

If you travel internationally, that brings its own set of blessings. Last week in Ethiopia, my husband and I shared one of the most amazing experiences we have ever had. We lived in our son's birth country for a week. We ate his food, heard his language and met the people he knew and loved. We made friends in a country that we never would have gone to if it were not for this adoption. We spent a week knowing what it feels like to be in the racial minority. We learned what it felt like to be surrounded by people speaking a language we didn't understand. We grew to love a people and culture of another country and are proud to have it be a part of our family. We saw wonderful things, heart-breaking things and every type of thing in between, and came home with a new appreciation of all that we have. We learned lessons in happiness from people who live with almost nothing and yet are happy and cheerful. All in all, we truly expanded our views on the world, and had experiences we will cherish in our hearts always.

So yes, we face challenges being a "white" couple with African-American, Ethiopian, Vietnamese and Korean children, and yet those challenges are certainly balanced, if not outweighed, by all of the wonderful blessings that come along with our children. I can do cornrows with the best of them; I have shopped in a market in Ho Chi Minh City; have a beautiful Hanbok, and I can eat injera with the best of them in Addis Ababa. I party for Tet, know some Korean words, celebrate Black History Month and think that that Ark of the Covenant just might by in Ethiopia. Instead of being a gal with friends from many cultures, I am the mom of a family of many cultures. I think of the world differently than I did before. My life is rich and full in many ways, and I am indeed, truly blessed.

So seize the opportunities to enrich your life and broaden your horizons. Be prepared for the challenges of being a transracial family, but be prepared for the blessings as well.