Adopting my two children was the best decision I ever made. I adopted my son, José, in 1983. He is from El Salvador and he was 8 months when I brought him home. I explored various forms of adopting in the early 80s. At the time, there were far fewer options for any non-traditional family. I hoped to adopt a healthy younger child simply because I felt it would be my first time parenting and I had had little experience with children. Fortunately, two countries - India and El Salvador - allowed singles to adopt young children. I got on a waiting list and was overjoyed when I learned about my son.

I felt so lucky to be able to adopt a baby as a single parent! I always wanted to adopt more children. Somehow this didn't happen in the way I originally planned. But I believe it happened the way it was meant to happen. It was more than a decade later that I was able to adopt my daughter, Julia. She is from Russia and was two when she joined our family. Julia, like her brother is bright, loving and extremely funny. My son always tells me I don't have much of a sense of humor so perhaps having two children who have such a sense of humor is God's way of bringing more light-heartedness and laughter into my life.

Over the course of two decades, I was often asked why I decided to adopt on my own. What always comes to mind is a pivotal moment when I was 14 years old. I remember reading a front-page article in the Chicago Tribune entitled: "Single Woman Struggles To Adopt Child." I certainly did learn over the years just how much of a struggle adopting on your own could be! Many people remember moments in their lives when something went "ping" and the course of their life was forever changed. This was one of those moments for me. I remember saying to myself, Someday I'll adopt.

Over the years I've watched the possibilities single people have to create families expand dramatically.

Adopting changed my life in so many ways. Yes, it has been challenging but it has also been enriching. I have learned to deal with both the unique issues of my own family - learning issues, Attention Deficit Disorder, not having another parent - but also to understand better the complex issues of adoptive parenting and to become an advocate for my children and my family. Despite the challenges, choosing to adopt has been the best decision I've ever made. I feel blessed to be the mother of the two most wonderful people I have ever known. Adopting has led to many unexpected changes -- career changes (going back to school, writing my book) and new social connetions (an extended network of other adoptive parents and their children).

While I feel adoption was the right choice for me, I realize through having counseled people exploring adoption that it is not the right choice for everyone. Hopefully, my book will help people come closer to making their own best decision.