From Riches to Rags, and the Glory I Found There

I sometimes worry that I am not enough for her. My daughter hasn't had a permanent home in all of her 12.5 years. Unforeseen circumstances in each of her previous homes made permanency impossible.  And she felt given away, felt cast aside, and felt like she couldn't believe in love. As a result, she closed off her feelings to the world, forced the tears to remain uncried, kept her smile only surface deep, and in her own words, never told anyone that she loved them.  When I first heard about her, and the initial excitement faded, I just kept thinking...what if I am not enough? What if I am taking her away from the possibility of being a part of a whole home with a mom AND a dad, instead of the broken one I've pieced together that only consists of me? Was it selfish to throw myself into the position of motherhood without the benefit of a partner? When we all know that two parents are better than just one? I decided early on that, in order for her to be able to reconnect with ...