One of the boys who swarmed me when I got out the video camera.

“Mamashka! Papashka!” Katya screamed as she ran through the playroom tripping over toys and bouncing off peers. Marina remained near the corner where the two of them had been playing. The child stood up and placed a doll on the bench. She did it softly, quietly, and without much interest. A hasty action would have meant the child wasn’t Marina. The little girl watched through her beautiful deep dark eyes with intent observation. Oddly, she didn’t display any noticeable jealousy as Katya rushed to meet us.

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About the Author

John M. Simmons is an adoption advocate and author of the award-winning novels The Marvelous Journey Home and To Sing Frogs. John performs television and radio interviews and writes editorials to share his experience with special needs and international adoption. He appears at book clubs, and is a frequent guest speaker for various groups to increase adoption awareness. He and his wife have three biological sons and six adopted children.