The Adoptee's Family Tree

Recently my oldest (in highschool) had to create a family-tree for a history project.

As a parent, I thought these school-craft projects were limited to the first early years.  Alas, I was wrong.

My daughter has a good sick sense of humour, but when it comes to family identity issues, she gets a bit serious and sensitive.

I tried to help her as best I could, explaining, "It's best to do only Daddy's side of the family.  You can explain your family-tree starts with me because I was adopted."

That is how she created her project....

She presented a lop-sided, yet accurate family-tree.

Had I been more brazen, myself, I would have encouraged her to have fun with the orphan-side of her DNA-pool.

I have been collecting photos for  future family-tree projects.  As an adoptee-turned-parent I think it's better to have a sick sense of humour than a sad sense of mythical thinking and longing. 

Next time my child needs family-photos, I will give them my collection.

My mom and dad, with their transportation/pet.

Extended family members, from far, far away...

Siblings.

It may not be "reality", but what IS "real parent"and "family heritage" to the parenting adoptee?  Really?